Cholesterol

What does this test measure?

Total cholesterol, a high-molecular-weight steroid absorbed from the diet and synthesized by the liver, transported in plasma by lipoproteins.

Why is it ordered?

Increased total cholesterol is associated with a progressively rising risk of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease.

Normal range

Desirable: < 200 mg/dL · Borderline-high: 200–239 mg/dL · High: ≥ 240 mg/dL

Per the original BioSystems insert

Sample type

Serum or plasma