What is non-HDL cholesterol and how can I check my levels?
Find out everything you need to know about this important cardiovascular biomarker and what they can tell you about your heart health.
The best way to check your levels of non-HDL cholesterol is with a blood test such as our Cholesterol Blood Test or, for even deeper insights into your health, including advanced heart disease risk biomarkers, our Optimal Health Blood Test could be the one for you.
Non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is an important way of assessing your cardiovascular risk. It shows you how much “bad” cholesterol you have in your blood and can be used to predict your risk for cardiovascular conditions. This article explains what non-HDL cholesterol is and why it’s important to include in your cholesterol panel.
We’ll answer:
- What is non-HDL cholesterol?
- Why measure non-HDL cholesterol in a blood test?
- What is a normal non-HDL cholesterol level?
- What is a raised non-HDL cholesterol result?
- What does a low non-HDL cholesterol result mean?
- How can I test my non-HDL cholesterol levels?
- How can I improve my non-HDL cholesterol levels?
- What should I do if my result is abnormal?
What is non-HDL cholesterol?
You might have heard of total cholesterol, the overall amount of “good” and “bad” cholesterol we have in our blood. Non-HDL cholesterol is exactly what it sounds like. It's the amount of cholesterol in your blood that isn't HDL cholesterol, often known as "good" cholesterol. It includes all the cholesterol carried by other lipoproteins, many of which can build up in your artery walls and increase your risk of heart disease.
Types of “bad” or non-HDL cholesterol include:
- Low-density lipoproteins (LDLs)
- Very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDLs)
- Triglycerides
- Lipoprotein(a)
Because it includes all of these potentially harmful particles, non-HDL cholesterol is considered a more complete measure of cardiovascular risk than LDL cholesterol alone.
What does non-HDL cholesterol do?
Non-HDL cholesterol itself doesn't have a specific job in the body – it represents the cholesterol carried by lipoproteins that can deposit cholesterol into the walls of your arteries.
Over time, this cholesterol can contribute to the formation of fatty plaques. As these plaques grow, they can narrow the arteries and reduce blood flow. If a plaque ruptures, it can trigger a blood clot that may lead to a heart attack or stroke.
Why measure non-HDL cholesterol in a blood test?
Looking at non-HDL cholesterol gives a better picture of the total amount of cholesterol that could contribute to cardiovascular disease.
In the past, cholesterol panels just focused on total and LDL cholesterol. These measurements are useful, but they don’t capture every type of particle associated with cardiovascular risk.
What is a normal non-HDL cholesterol level?
As a general guide, Heart UK recommends a non-HDL cholesterol level below 4.0 mmol/l (or less than 155 mg/dL). This can vary depending on your laboratories reference ranges.
If you have a cardiovascular condition, or other factors that increase your risk, your healthcare professional may recommend a lower target. After a heart attack or stroke, a non-HDL level below 2.6 mmol/L (100 mg/dL) is recommended [1,2].
What is a raised non-HDL cholesterol result?
A non-HDL cholesterol result above 4.0 mmol/L (155 mg/dL) means there is a larger amount of damaging lipoproteins circulating in your blood.
Higher levels are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
If your result is above the recommended range, it doesn't necessarily mean you have heart disease. However, it does mean it's worth looking at your overall cardiovascular risk and considering whether changes to your lifestyle or treatment may help reduce your risk over time.
What does a low non-HDL cholesterol result mean?
The lower your level of non-HDL cholesterol the better, as a low result is thought to have a protective effect against heart problems.
How can I test my non-HDL cholesterol levels?
You don't need to request a separate test for non-HDL cholesterol – it's automatically calculated whenever your blood test includes both total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. At Medichecks, non-HDL cholesterol is included in all cholesterol tests and health screens that contain a lipid profile.
You can choose an at-home finger-prick test or a venous blood draw, depending on the test you select.
What should I do if my result is abnormal?
An abnormal result should always be considered alongside your overall health and any other cardiovascular risk factors.
If your non-HDL cholesterol is raised, it's a good idea to discuss your results with your GP or another healthcare professional. They can assess your overall cardiovascular risk and advise whether lifestyle changes, repeat testing, or medication may be appropriate.
If you've tested with Medichecks, your results are reviewed by a doctor, who will explain what your numbers mean.
How can I improve my non-HDL cholesterol levels?
If your non-HDL cholesterol is raised, lifestyle changes are usually the first step [3].
These may include:
- Losing weight if you're overweight
- Eating less saturated fat and trans fats
- Being more physically active
- Reducing sugar and high glycaemic carbohydrates if you have diabetes or pre-diabetes
For some people, lifestyle changes alone may not be enough. If your cardiovascular risk is higher, your doctor may recommend cholesterol-lowering medication such as statins alongside healthy lifestyle changes.
You can read more about blood testing for heart health in our blog, or visit Heart UK for advice on healthy living.
References
- Understanding your cholesterol levels. In: British Heart Foundation [Internet]. 27 Sep 2024 [cited 10 Jul 2026].
- Lipid modification - CVD prevention | Health topics A to Z | CKS | NICE. [cited 10 Jul 2026].
- High cholesterol - How to lower your cholesterol. In: nhs.uk [Internet]. 28 May 2019 [cited 10 Jul 2026].