Cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams (mg) of cholesterol per deciliter (dL) of blood in the United States and some other countries. Canada and most European countries measure cholesterol in millimoles (mmol) per liter (L) of blood. Consider these general guidelines when you get your lipid panel (cholesterol test) results back to see if your cholesterol falls in optimal levels.
| Total cholesterol (U.S. and some other countries) |
Total cholesterol* (Canada and most of Europe) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Below 200 mg/dL | Below 5.2 mmol/L | Desirable |
| 200-239 mg/dL | 5.2-6.2 mmol/L | Borderline high |
| 240 mg/dL and above | Above 6.2 mmol/L | High |
| LDL cholesterol (U.S. and some other countries) |
LDL cholesterol* (Canada and most of Europe) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Below 70 mg/dL | Below 1.8 mmol/L | Optimal for people at very high risk of heart disease |
| Below 100 mg/dL | Below 2.6 mmol/L | Optimal for people at risk of heart disease |
| 100-129 mg/dL | 2.6-3.3 mmol/L | Near optimal |
| 130-159 mg/dL | 3.4-4.1 mmol/L | Borderline high |
| 160-189 mg/dL | 4.1-4.9 mmol/L | High |
| 190 mg/dL and above | Above 4.9 mmol/L | Very high |
| HDL cholesterol (U.S. and some other countries) |
HDL cholesterol* (Canada and most of Europe) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Below 40 mg/dL (men) Below 50 mg/dL (women) |
Below 1 mmol/L (men) Below 1.3 mmol/L (women) |
Poor |
| 50-59 mg/dL | 1.3-1.5 mmol/L | Better |
| 60 mg/dL and above | Above 1.5 mmol/L | Best |
| Triglycerides (U.S. and some other countries) |
Triglycerides* (Canada and most of Europe) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Below 150 mg/dL | Below 1.7 mmol/L | Desirable |
| 150-199 mg/dL | 1.7-2.2 mmol/L | Borderline high |
| 200-499 mg/dL | 2.3-5.6 mmol/L | High |
| 500 mg/dL and above | Above 5.6 mmol/L | Very high |
*Canadian and European guidelines differ slightly from U.S. guidelines. These conversions are based on U.S. guidelines.
Source: Mayo Clinic
