During a yearly checkup or physical, your doctor may give you a cholesterol test. A cholesterol test is typically a blood test that determines the levels of good cholesterol, bad cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. Your doctor may explain the results to you if your results are unhealthy, but it is up to you to obtain a broad knowledge of exactly what these results mean and how you can improve your numbers. Take your cholesterol test results into your own hands.
Step 1
Get a copy of your complete cholesterol test results from your doctor. Ask for a copy of your low-density lipoprotein levels, high-density lipoprotein levels, triglyceride levels and overall cholesterol levels.
Step 2
Interpret your total cholesterol results, which are an overall measurement of the cholesterol, both good and bad, in your bloodstream. Cholesterol measurements in the United States are based on milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) of cholesterol in your blood. A total cholesterol reading below 200mg/dL is optimal, a reading of 200 to 239mg/dL is borderline high, and a reading of 240mg/dL or above is considered high according to the Mayo Clinic.
Step 3
Examine your LDL (low-density lipoprotein) levels. LDL is considered bad cholesterol because it collects in the arteries, causing heart disease, stroke and heart attack if your levels are high. A reading of 70mg/dL or below is considered optimal, a reading of 100mg/dL or below is optimal for individuals who are at risk for heart disease, between 100 and 129mg/dL is near optimal, between 130 and 159mg/dL is borderline high, between 160 and 189mg/dL is considered high, and 190mg/dL and above is considered very high according to the Mayo Clinic.
Step 4
Review your HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol levels. HDL is considered good cholesterol because it takes low-density lipoproteins out of the bloodstream and into the liver to be used in the body. Unlike other cholesterol readings, the higher HDL level you have, the better. A reading of 60mg/dL or above is considered an optimal reading, between 50 and 59mg/dL is considered a moderate reading, and 40mg/dL or less for men--and 50mg/dL or less for women--is considered a poor reading, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Step 5
Determine your triglyceride levels. Triglycerides provide energy for the body, but if they are not being used during exercise or physical activity, they are stored in the blood. High levels of triglycerides in the blood can cause heart disease. A reading of below 15mg/dL is considered optimal, between 150 and 199mg/dL is borderline high, 200 to 499mg/dL is considered high, and a reading of 500mg/dL and above is considered very high, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Tips and Warnings
- Lower your cholesterol levels by exercising every day and avoiding saturated fat.
- Get a second opinion from a doctor if you think your cholesterol test results may be incorrect.
