Non-HDL Cholesterol
Total cholesterol minus HDL cholesterol. Represents all "bad" cholesterol including LDL, VLDL, and Lp(a).
Units: mg/dL; some labs report mmol/L (mmol/L = mg/dL × 0.0259). Check the units on your report before comparing to any range here.
Optimal range: who says what
Institutions, researchers and practitioners draw the line in different places. Each position is listed with who holds it and, where a document states it, a link. How we verify ranges.
- Institution or study<130 mg/dL with CHD or a risk equivalent; <160 with 2+ risk factors; <190 with 0-1NCEP ATP III (NHLBI, 2001)ATP III sets the non-HDL goal 30 mg/dL above the LDL goal for each risk tier, as a secondary target when triglycerides are 200 mg/dL or higher.
- Lab reference interval<130 mg/dLWhat a lab report flags against. A lab interval is not an optimal target.
8 of 21 itemized panels
Lipid Panel / Cardiovascular Health
Why Non-HDL Cholesterol matters
Calculated by subtracting HDL from total cholesterol. Captures all atherogenic (artery-clogging) particles including LDL, VLDL, and remnants. Many cardiologists consider it a better predictor of heart disease than LDL alone.
Reading a Non-HDL Cholesterol result
Non-HDL cholesterol is total cholesterol minus HDL cholesterol (ARUP). ARUP notes it reflects total atherogenic lipoprotein burden, not only LDL, and helps determine risk in people with diabetes, established cardiovascular disease or high triglycerides. MedlinePlus lists a healthy level for adults below 130 mg/dL.
What pushes it up
- A diet high in saturated fat
- Overweight or obesity
- Low physical activity
- Diabetes, kidney disease or an underactive thyroid
- Some birth control pills, diuretics, beta-blockers and antidepressants
- Inherited lipid disorders such as familial hypercholesterolemia
What brings it down
- Stopping smoking
- A diet low in saturated fat
- Regular exercise and weight loss
- Statins and other lipid-lowering drugs
What to check next
- ApoB, which ARUP says may help when fasting LDL is impractical and in judging whether therapy is working
- Blood glucose, kidney function and thyroid tests when lipids are abnormal (MedlinePlus)
Sources: ARUP Consult: ASCVD risk assessment; MedlinePlus: Cholesterol levels; MedlinePlus: High blood cholesterol levels. Checked against these sources 2026-09-23. General information, not medical advice; your lab's reference interval and your clinician's reading take precedence.
Which Providers Test Non-HDL Cholesterol?
Cheapest: Oura Health Panels at $99/year. Most comprehensive: Empirical Health, 100+ biomarkers for $190/year.
8 panels that include it, cheapest first
| Provider | Annual Cost | Total Biomarkers | $/Biomarker |
|---|---|---|---|
| $99 | 50 | $1.98 | |
| $190 | 100+ | $1.90 | |
| $297 | 100+ | $2.97 | |
 Superpower | $349 | 100+ | $3.49 |
| $349 | 75+ | $4.65 | |
 WHOOP Advanced Labs | $349 | 65 | $5.37 |
| $365 | 100+ | $3.65 | |
| $499 | 100+ | $4.99 |
$/Biomarker is annual cost divided by the panel's advertised biomarker count, not the price of this one test. We track 23 blood test providers (32 plans); 21 of those plans are itemized marker by marker. Compare all of them.
13 itemized panels do not include Non-HDL Cholesterol
Labcorp OnDemand · Life Extension Elite · Everlywell · InsideTracker · Function Health · Marek Health Base · Marek Health Comprehensive · Marek Health Complete · Marek Health Executive · SiPhox Health · Healthspan · Vitality Blueprint Standard · Vitality Blueprint Elite
11 providers not itemized in our matrix
We have not itemized these marker by marker (some sell tests one at a time), so this page cannot say whether they offer Non-HDL Cholesterol. Check with them directly.
Life Extension Standard · Quest Health · Ultrahuman Blood Vision · Lifeforce · Hundred Health · Personalabs · Walk-In Lab · HealthLabs · WHOOP Specialized Panels · Marek Health Essential · Vitality Blueprint Upload
Experts discussing Non-HDL Cholesterol
Podcast episodes where clinicians and researchers cover this marker in depth. Curated by hand; an episode is listed only when the marker is a substantial topic, not a passing mention.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the optimal range for Non-HDL Cholesterol?
Published position: <130 mg/dL with CHD or a risk equivalent; <160 with 2+ risk factors; <190 with 0-1 (NCEP ATP III (NHLBI, 2001)). Lab reference interval: <130 mg/dL. That is what a lab report flags against, not an optimal target.
Which blood test providers include Non-HDL Cholesterol?
8 of the 21 blood testing panels we itemize marker by marker include Non-HDL Cholesterol in their panels. This biomarker is widely available across major providers.
Related: YouBoost rates lifestyle and supplement interventions by evidence; HRV Zone tracks recovery trends.
Medical Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider about your specific health needs.
Last reviewed Sep 23, 2026 · First published Nov 30, 2025