HDL cholesterol blood test: what your result means

HDL cholesterol estimates cholesterol carried by high-density lipoproteins, which help transport cholesterol away from arteries.

Category: Metabolic panel, electrolytes and cholesterol
Standard unit: mmol/L
Reported in: mmol/L, µmol/L, mg/dL, mg/100mL, mg%, mg/L and more

What does high HDL cholesterol mean?

Higher values are often associated with a more favorable lipid profile. What counts as high depends on the reference range printed on your lab report, because ranges differ between laboratories.

What does low HDL cholesterol mean?

Lower values may suggest less protective lipid transport. What counts as low depends on the reference range printed on your lab report, because ranges differ between laboratories.

HDL cholesterol units and conversion

Mediki shows HDL cholesterol in mmol/L. Labs may report it in other units; Mediki converts them automatically so results from different labs line up on one chart.

HDL Cholesterol unit conversion factors
Unit on your report	Convert to mmol/L	Convert back
µmol/L	1 µmol/L = 0.001 mmol/L	1 mmol/L = 1,000 µmol/L
mg/dL, mg/100mL, mg%	1 mg/dL = 0.02586 mmol/L	1 mmol/L = 38.66 mg/dL
mg/L, µg/mL	1 mg/L = 0.002586 mmol/L	1 mmol/L = 386.6 mg/L

Convert a value from your report with the blood test unit converter.

Why track HDL cholesterol over time?

A single HDL cholesterol result is a snapshot. Comparing it with your earlier tests shows whether a value is stable, slowly drifting, or responding to a change in treatment or lifestyle, which is often more useful than one number on its own.

Read our guide on how to read blood test results to understand reference ranges, flags and units.

Following HDL cholesterol as part of a panel? See the cholesterol tracker.

Track your HDL cholesterol results in one chart

Upload your lab reports and Mediki plots every HDL cholesterol result against its reference range. Your first 15 pages are free.

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Sources

MedlinePlus: HDL Cholesterol Test

Medical disclaimer: This page is general information, not medical advice. Reference ranges differ between laboratories, and only a doctor can interpret your results in the context of your health.