What is the Recommended Level of Total Serum Cholesterol?
The National Cholesterol Education Program (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) has a set of guidelines for cholesterol levels. It recommends that everyone age 20 and older should have their cholesterol measured at least once every 5 years. A blood test called a “lipoprotein profile” is considered the best way to find out your cholesterol numbers. This blood test is done after a 9- to 12-hour fast and gives information about your: • Total cholesterol • LDL cholesterol • HDL cholesterol • Triglycerides, which are another form of fat in your blood If it is not possible to get a lipoprotein profile done, knowing your total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol can give you a general idea about your cholesterol levels. If your total cholesterol is 200 milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL) or more or if your HDL is less than 40 mg/dL, you will need to have a lipoprotein profile done. A total cholesterol level less than 200 mg/dL is desirable. A level of 200 to 239 is borderline high an
