What should you know about the non-HDL cholesterol test?

Non-HDL cholesterol is calculated by subtracting HDL cholesterol from total cholesterol. It includes LDL and other particles, so it can provide useful information when triglycerides are also raised. The test is part of a lipid profile, which may also report LDL, HDL, total cholesterol and triglycerides.

The result is interpreted against your personal cardiovascular risk, not in isolation. Blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, kidney health, family history and previous vascular disease can all change the target used by your clinician.

Ask the laboratory whether you need to fast; instructions vary according to the wider set of tests and your situation. Tell the clinician about pregnancy, recent illness, medicines and supplements. After the result, the next step may be lifestyle support, another test, assessment for an underlying condition or lipid-lowering treatment.

If a statin is prescribed, take it as directed and report troublesome symptoms. Follow-up testing checks the response and supports safe adjustment rather than replacing a discussion of your overall risk.

The test is normally arranged as routine care. Seek urgent medical help for chest pressure, severe breathlessness, collapse, or sudden weakness, speech difficulty or vision loss. These symptoms need immediate assessment and should not be attributed to the cholesterol result.

Was my sample fasting, and does that affect interpretation? What are my non-HDL, LDL and triglyceride results? What target is appropriate for my risk? When should I repeat the profile, and would statin therapy be useful?