Alternative names
High-density lipoprotein

Definition
The HDL cholesterol is a test that measures the amount of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in serum.

How the test is performed

Blood is drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The puncture site is cleaned with antiseptic. An elastic band is placed around the upper arm to apply pressure and cause the vein to swell with blood.

A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. During the procedure, the band is removed to restore circulation. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.

What do my cholesterol numbers mean?
Talk to your health care provider about the results of your cholesterol test. The following guidelines come from the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health. Cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams (mg) of cholesterol per deciliter (dL) of blood.

 
• Total cholesterol level - a level of less than 200 mg/dL is desirable. But even levels of 200-239 mg/dL (borderline high) can increase your risk of Heart disease.

  Total Cholesterol Level	Category
  Less than 200 mg/dL	Desirable
  200 - 239 mg/dL	Borderline high
  240 mg/dL and above	High

     

• LDL (bad) cholesterol - a level of 160 mg/dL or above is high. Work with your health care provider to determine a goal LDL level that’s best for you.

  LDL Cholesterol Level	Category
  Less than 100 mg/dL	Optimal
  100-129 mg/dL	Near optimal/above optimal
  130-159 mg/dL	Borderline high
  160-189 mg/dL	High
  190 mg/dL and above	Very high

   

• HDL (good) cholesterol - a level of 60 mg/dL or more is good and helps to lower your risk for Heart disease. Remember that HDL (good) cholesterol protects against Heart disease, so for HDL, higher numbers are better. A level less than 40 mg/dL is low and increases your risk for developing Heart disease.
   

• Triglyceride levels - can also raise your risk for Heart disease. Levels that are borderline high (150-199 mg/dL) or high (200 mg/dL or more) may need treatment in some people.

In infants or young children:
The area is cleansed with antiseptic and punctured with a sharp needle or a lancet. The blood may be collected in a pipette (small glass tube), on a slide, onto a test strip, or into a small container. A bandage may be applied to the puncture site if there is any bleeding.

How to prepare for the test
Fast for 8 to 12 hours before the test.

Infants and children:
The preparation you can provide for this test depends on your child’s age, previous experiences, and level of trust. For general information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics:

 
• Infant test or procedure preparation (birth to 1 year)  
• Toddler test or procedure preparation (1 to 3 years)  
• Preschooler test or procedure preparation (3 to 6 years)  
• School age test or procedure preparation (6 to 12 years)  
• Adolescent test or procedure preparation (12 to 18 years)

How the test will feel
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.

Why the test is performed

This test is used in an evaluation of coronary risk factors.

Lipoproteins are proteins in the blood that transport cholesterol, triglycerides, and other lipids to various tissues. The main function of HDL appears to be carrying excess cholesterol (and probably other phospholipids and proteins) to the liver for “re-packaging” or excretion in the bile.

Higher levels of HDL seem to be protective against coronary artery disease, thus HDL is sometimes referred to as “good” cholesterol. The laboratory test for HDL actually measures the cholesterol part of HDL, not the actual concentration of HDL in the blood.

This is also true of the tests for low density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL). The total cholesterol level is the sum of LDL, HDL, and VLDL cholesterol.

Normal Values

Women tend to have higher HDL cholesterol than men. In general, an increased risk for heart disease, including heart attack, occurs when the HDL level is less than 40mg/dL. More specifically, men are at particular risk if their HDL is below 37 mg/dL, and women, if their HDL is below 47 mg/dL.

An HDL 60mg/dL or above helps protect against heart disease.

Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories.

What abnormal results mean
Low HDL levels may indicate an increased risk of atherosclerotic heart disease.

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:

 
• Familial combined hyperlipidemia  
• Noninsulin-dependent Diabetes (NIDD)

What the risks are

Risks associated with this test may include:

 
• Excessive bleeding  
• Fainting or feeling light-headed  
• Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)  
• Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)  
• Multiple punctures to locate veins

Special considerations
HDL will usually be performed as part of an overall lipid profile, wherein LDL and triglycerides will also be measured. The combined information gathered from all of these tests may help determine cardiovascular event risk (risk of Heart Attack, Stroke, and Peripheral vascular disease). Appropriate therapy will be prescribed if risk is shown to be high.

See also:

What Is High Blood Cholesterol?
What Makes Your Cholesterol High or Low?
LDL and triglycerides
High Blood Cholesterol
High Blood cholesterol
Statins

Medical Encyclopedia

All ArmMed Media material is provided for information only and is neither advice nor a substitute for proper medical care. Consult a qualified healthcare professional who understands your particular history for individual concerns.