Non-HDL Cholesterol

Lipid PanelHeart & VesselsBlood

Non-HDL cholesterol refers to all the cholesterol carried on particles other than high-density lipoproteins.

Why it matters: Non-HDL cholesterol predicts cardiovascular risk better than LDL cholesterol, and is especially useful for people with high triglycerides, metabolic syndrome, obesity or type 2 diabetes.

Source · Cleveland Clinic — what it is, why it matters, what moves it

Reference Range
< 3.9mmol/L
3.9NormalHigh
What Moves It

May increase with:

Inherited genes, which play the biggest role
Foods high in saturated fat, trans fat and added sugar
Excess weight
Smoking and other tobacco products
Being inactive

May decrease with:

Regular moderate-intensity exercise
Eating healthy fats and limiting saturated fats
The Mediterranean diet
Quitting tobacco
Statins and other cholesterol medicines
Related Markers
LDL CholesterolTriglyceridesApolipoprotein B
Common questions

What is Non-HDL Cholesterol?

Non-HDL cholesterol refers to all the cholesterol carried on particles other than high-density lipoproteins.

What might a high or low Non-HDL Cholesterol mean?

Non-HDL cholesterol predicts cardiovascular risk better than LDL cholesterol, and is especially useful for people with high triglycerides, metabolic syndrome, obesity or type 2 diabetes.

What is the typical reference range for Non-HDL Cholesterol?

The general-population reference range shown here is < 3.9 mmol/L. Reference ranges describe the general population and are not a personal target — discuss your results with your physician.

What can affect Non-HDL Cholesterol?

It may be higher with: Inherited genes, which play the biggest role, Foods high in saturated fat, trans fat and added sugar, Excess weight, Smoking and other tobacco products, Being inactive. It may be lower with: Regular moderate-intensity exercise, Eating healthy fats and limiting saturated fats, The Mediterranean diet, Quitting tobacco, Statins and other cholesterol medicines.

More in Lipid Panel
ApoB/ApoA1 RatioApolipoprotein A1Apolipoprotein BHDL CholesterolLDL CholesterolLipoprotein(a)Remnant CholesterolTotal CholesterolTriglyceridesVLDL Cholesterol

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