A cholesterol blood test measures different types of fats (lipids) in your blood.
Doctors often order this test to:
Assess heart and blood vessel risk
Monitor cholesterol over time
Help guide lifestyle or medication decisions
This test is often part of a lipid panel.
A cholesterol test usually includes:
Total cholesterol – overall amount
LDL (“bad” cholesterol) – can build up in arteries
HDL (“good” cholesterol) – helps remove excess cholesterol
Triglycerides – another type of blood fat
Doctors look at the pattern, not just one number.
Cholesterol ranges vary by lab and guideline.
Your lab report will show:
Each cholesterol value
Reference ranges or target goals
Numbers are often interpreted based on overall risk, not in isolation.
Higher cholesterol levels may be linked to:
Diet and lifestyle
Genetics
Weight or inactivity
Certain medical conditions
High cholesterol does not mean something is immediately wrong.
Low cholesterol levels are usually not concerning.
They may be seen with:
Certain medications
Weight loss
Acute illness
Low values rarely require treatment by themselves.
Cholesterol levels can change due to:
Recent illness
Weight changes
Diet changes
Fasting status
Lab timing
Trends over time matter more than one test.
Doctors may repeat this test:
Every few months to yearly
When monitoring treatment
If results are borderline
Long-term patterns are more important than short-term changes.
Cholesterol is one risk factor, not a diagnosis.
Many people improve cholesterol with gradual lifestyle changes.
Cholesterol tests help show how fats are moving through your bloodstream.
Results are most helpful when viewed over time and in context.
You may want to read:
LDL Cholesterol Explained
HDL Cholesterol Explained
Triglycerides Explained
You can also use the navigation bar above to explore other blood test results.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always talk with a healthcare professional about your results.