Understanding your Lipid Profile (Cholesterol Panel) results
A lipid profile measures the main fats carried in the blood. Total cholesterol is the sum of the cholesterol in all lipoproteins. LDL cholesterol, often called bad cholesterol, is the type that builds up in artery walls. HDL cholesterol, often called good cholesterol, carries cholesterol back to the liver. Triglycerides are fats the body stores for energy. Doctors use the profile as part of assessing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
The ranges on this page are commonly quoted adult reference ranges. Laboratories set their own, so the range printed on your report is the one that applies to your result.
Fasting required: Zavis's record for this test lists fasting but gives no duration, so ask the lab how long to fast before your sample is taken.
Commonly quoted adult reference ranges
>>>| Parameter | Reference range | Unit | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total cholesterol | < 200 | mg/dL | 200 to 239 is often labelled borderline; 240 or above, high |
| LDL cholesterol | < 100 | mg/dL | Doctors may aim lower for people at higher risk |
| HDL cholesterol, men | > 40 | mg/dL | |
| HDL cholesterol, women | > 50 | mg/dL | |
| Triglycerides | < 150 | mg/dL | 150 to 199 is often labelled borderline; 200 or above, high |
| Non-HDL cholesterol | < 130 | mg/dL | Total cholesterol minus HDL |
What a high Lipid Profile (Cholesterol Panel) result can mean
High LDL cholesterol is the main lipid marker of cardiovascular risk: LDL particles can settle in artery walls and form plaques that narrow the arteries. A very high LDL can point to an inherited condition called familial hypercholesterolaemia. High triglycerides often appear together with diabetes, excess weight and high blood pressure, a combination called metabolic syndrome, and very high levels are linked to inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Total cholesterol is read together with its LDL and HDL components.
What a low Lipid Profile (Cholesterol Panel) result can mean
HDL below the reference figure is treated as a cardiovascular risk factor in its own right, because less cholesterol is carried away from the artery walls. Low HDL is associated with physical inactivity, smoking, excess weight and type 2 diabetes. Very low total cholesterol is uncommon and can occasionally be seen with malnutrition, an overactive thyroid or liver disease. Low triglycerides are not usually a concern.
How a doctor reads the result
A lipid profile is read together with other risk factors. The numbers are usually combined with age, blood pressure, smoking, diabetes and family history to estimate overall cardiovascular risk, and the figure a doctor aims for depends on that risk. Discuss the result with your doctor, and mention any close relatives who had heart disease at a young age.
Follow-up a doctor may arrange
When lipids are outside the reference range, a doctor may repeat the test, look at blood glucose and at thyroid, liver and kidney function, and talk through diet, activity and weight. Whether a medicine is appropriate is decided by the doctor on the basis of overall risk.
Related tests
>>>Lipid Profile (Cholesterol Panel): preparation and listed prices
Fasting is required. Sample type: blood. The Lipid Panel test is listed at AED 99 to AED 138 across 5 labs and services: AED 99 on the ServiceMarket website (Dubai only, home visit included), AED 100 on the Healthchecks360 website, AED 100 on the Smart Care Polyclinic website (Dubai only), AED 100 on the Unilabs website and AED 138 on the DarDoc website.
Sources: Prices on this page are the ones each lab or service publishes on its own website, read between 13 October 2026 and 7 November 2026. Zavis has published prices from 6 of the 13 labs and services it lists: of the other 7, 6 do not publish per-test prices and 1 website could not be read. The websites do not all say whether VAT or a collection fee is added to a listed price, so confirm the price with the lab before you book. How Zavis sources prices.
Listed prices for the Lipid Panel test, as each site names itFrequently asked questions
What are the commonly quoted reference ranges for Lipid Profile (Cholesterol Panel)?
Commonly quoted adult reference ranges are: Total cholesterol: < 200 mg/dL; LDL cholesterol: < 100 mg/dL; HDL cholesterol, men: > 40 mg/dL; HDL cholesterol, women: > 50 mg/dL; Triglycerides: < 150 mg/dL; Non-HDL cholesterol: < 130 mg/dL. Laboratories set their own ranges, so the range printed on your report is the one that applies to your result.
What can a high Lipid Profile (Cholesterol Panel) result mean?
High LDL cholesterol is the main lipid marker of cardiovascular risk: LDL particles can settle in artery walls and form plaques that narrow the arteries. A very high LDL can point to an inherited condition called familial hypercholesterolaemia. High triglycerides often appear together with diabetes, excess weight and high blood pressure, a combination called metabolic syndrome, and very high levels are linked to inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Total cholesterol is read together with its LDL and HDL components.
Is fasting needed for Lipid Profile (Cholesterol Panel)?
Fasting is required. Sample type: blood. Zavis's record for this test lists fasting but gives no duration, so ask the lab how long to fast before your sample is taken.
How often are Lipid Profile (Cholesterol Panel) results rechecked?
There is no single interval that suits everyone. A doctor can advise whether and how often to test, based on your health, any treatment and your earlier results.
Medical disclaimer: The information on this page is provided for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reference ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results in the context of your full clinical picture, symptoms, and medical history. If you have concerns about your test results, always consult a licensed healthcare professional. Do not delay seeking medical advice or disregard professional medical guidance because of information on this page.