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Non-HDL Cholesterol

Non-HDL cholesterol = total cholesterol − HDL cholesterol; it captures all atherogenic (apoB) lipoproteins and is valid non-fasting. ATP III targets are 30 mg/dL above the LDL goal; <130 mg/dL (3.4 mmol/L) is desirable for primary prevention and ≥190 mg/dL is high.

  • Total cholesterol (mg/dL or mmol/L)
  • HDL cholesterol (mg/dL or mmol/L)
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Interpretation

ResultMeaning
< 130Desirable
130–159Above desirable
160–189Borderline high
190–219High
≥ 220Very high

Formula

Non-HDL-C = total cholesterol − HDL-C. Goal = LDL-C goal + 30 mg/dL (0.8 mmol/L).

Clinical pearls

  • Preferred over calculated LDL when triglycerides are ≥200 mg/dL (2.3 mmol/L) or the sample is non-fasting.
  • Category cut-points above follow the NLA 2014 recommendations, built on ATP III's LDL + 30 rule.

Examples

non hdl cholesterol total 220 hdl 45non-HDL with total cholesterol 5.2 mmol/L and HDL 1.1 mmol/L

FAQ

What is a good non-HDL cholesterol?

Below 130 mg/dL (3.4 mmol/L) for most adults; lower (e.g. <100 mg/dL or <2.6 mmol/L) for high-risk patients.

Does non-HDL need fasting?

No. Both total and HDL cholesterol change little after a meal, so non-HDL is reliable non-fasting.

Evidence

  1. NCEP Expert Panel. Third Report of the NCEP Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) final report. Circulation 2002;106:3143–421.

Cardiology · Reviewed 2026-10-14 · Methodology