About Non-HDL Cholesterol
Non-HDL cholesterol is a measure of all atherogenic, or potentially artery-clogging, lipoproteins in the blood except high-density lipoproteins (HDL). It is calculated by subtracting the HDL cholesterol level from the total cholesterol level. Non-HDL cholesterol includes low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol, intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL) cholesterol, and lipoprotein(a), and is considered a better marker for assessing cardiovascular risk compared to LDL cholesterol alone.
Reference Values
Optimal Range
0.0 - 80.0 mg/dL
Elite Value
Not specified
Health Implications
High
Elevated levels may indicate a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, as it suggests that there is an excess of ‘bad’ cholesterol that can contribute to plaque build-up in arteries.
Low
Low levels may be associated with decreased risk of heart disease, but extremely low levels could be an indicator of underlying conditions such as malnutrition or hyperthyroidism.
Symptoms
High
May include fatigue, dizziness, headaches, and chest pain.
Low
Can include dizziness, episodes of fatigue and weakness.
Lifestyle Factors
Specimen Type
Testing Methods
Also Known As
Scientific Sources
- Grundy, S. M., Stone, N. J., Bailey, A. L., Beam, C., Birtcher, K. K., Blumenthal, R. S., ... & Yeboah, J. (2019). 2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA guideline on the management of blood cholesterol: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. *Circulation*, 139(25), e1082–e1143.
- Mach, F., Baigent, C., Catapano, A. L., Koskinas, K. C., Casula, M., Badimon, L., ... & Piepoli, M. F. (2020). 2019 ESC/EAS guidelines for the management of dyslipidaemias: lipid modification to reduce cardiovascular risk. *European Heart Journal*, 41(1), 111–188.
- Jellinger, P. S., Handelsman, Y., Rosenblit, P. D., Bloomgarden, Z. T., Fonseca, V. A., Garber, A. J., ... & Davidson, M. H. (2017). American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and American College of Endocrinology guidelines for management of dyslipidemia and prevention of cardiovascular disease. *Endocrine Practice*, 23(Suppl 2), 1–87.
- Arnett, D. K., Blumenthal, R. S., Albert, M. A., Buroker, A. B., Goldberger, Z. D., Hahn, E. J., ... & Ziaeian, B. (2019). 2019 ACC/AHA guideline on the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. *Circulation*, 140(11), e596–e646.
- Grundy, S. M., Stone, N. J., Bailey, A. L., Beam, C., Birtcher, K. K., Blumenthal, R. S., ... & Yeboah, J. (2019). 2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA guideline on the management of blood cholesterol: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. *Journal of the American College of Cardiology*, 73(24), e285–e350.