Total Cholesterol Test

Are you interested in knowing more about your heart health? Choose the Total Cholesterol Test to measure the total amount of cholesterol in your blood, which may help identify your risk of developing cardiovascular problems like heart disease and stroke.

$39.00

+ $6.00 Physician Service Fee

Who is getting tested? *

Quantity

Test Type

In Person

What

This test measures total cholesterol, which is the sum of low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad”) cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL, or “good”) cholesterol.

Who

Must be 18+ years of age to purchase

Orders not permitted in: AK, HI, AZ

How

Type of samples to be collected:
Blood (venipuncture—a needle is used to draw blood from a vein)

Where

Find a location near you

Schedule an appointment, then visit one of our Patient Service Centers.

About the Test

The Total Cholesterol Test measures the total amount of cholesterol content in your blood based on your LDL (bad cholesterol) and HDL (good cholesterol) levels. High levels of LDL cholesterol in your blood may cause a buildup of fatty deposits in your arteries, which reduces blood flow. HDL cholesterol helps carry away LDL cholesterol while keeping your arteries open and allowing for blood to flow more freely. Too much cholesterol in your blood may damage arteries and blood vessels, which may increase the risk for stroke, heart attack, and heart disease.

PLEASE NOTE

This test will only provide a value for Total Cholesterol and not individual values for LDL or HDL.

This test may be helpful for those who:

Have never checked total cholesterol levels or haven't checked them in several years
Have a family history of high cholesterol or heart disease
Have high blood pressure
Have diabetes
Are overweight or obese
Eat a diet high in fat, processed foods, or sugar
Don't get enough physical activity
Smoke or use tobacco

Cholesterol is a waxy, fatty substance found in the blood and is needed to make cell walls, tissues, hormones, vitamin D, and bile acid. Cholesterol comes from internal and external sources. The liver is responsible for creating cholesterol within the body and it provides all that you need. The remainder of the cholesterol in your body comes from animal-based foods like meat, poultry, and dairy products. Too much cholesterol in the blood may clog blood vessels, which reduces the flow of blood to the heart, brain, and other organs. This may increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, and other serious health conditions.

Cholesterol travels through the bloodstream on particles made of protein and fat (lipoproteins). High-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) are 2 types of lipoproteins. HDL is known as “good cholesterol” because it transports cholesterol away from cells and tissues to the liver, where it is eventually removed from the body. This helps lower blood cholesterol levels. LDL is known as “bad cholesterol” because it carries fatty deposits (plaques) toward the arteries. A high amount of LDL in the blood may cause cholesterol to accumulate in the vessel walls, resulting in plaque buildup and narrowing of the arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis. Our Total Cholesterol Test combines your HDL and LDL levels, representing your total cholesterol number. This helps determine whether your cholesterol is elevated.

The Total Cholesterol Test is for anyone who wants to know their total cholesterol number, or to monitor certain medical conditions or the effects of medications. You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase.

Fasting for 8-12 hours before your appointment is strongly recommended, but not required for this test. Fasting means you don't eat or drink anything except water for the amount of time specified.

Results may be elevated if you do not fast prior to this test.

When your results are ready, we will send them to you in a clear, easy-to-read report.

You will have the option to speak with an independent physician to discuss your results.

If your results differ from expected ranges, you may receive an alert call to inform you.

How Does it Work?

Take an in-person test at a Quest Diagnostics location.

Over 2000+ locations focus on your safety, confidentiality and convenience.

Schedule your appointment after purchasing a test to minimize wait time.

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We will email you when your confidential results are available.

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Take control of your health

Conveniently shop and pay online for lab tests without a doctor's visit. An independent physician will review your request and if appropriate, confirm your order and offer oversight.

Schedule and manage your appointments

Conveniently schedule your appointment online at one of our Quest Diagnostics locations. Certain tests may also offer self-testing home delivery.

Get your results online

View your results through your secure account online. And it's easy to share the result with your doctor.

Your results are available on our free, secure patient portal that you can access on your smartphone, tablet, or desktop. You will receive an email notification when your results are ready. You can also share your results with your doctor, family, or friends.

FAQs

How does liver disease affect cholesterol levels?

An important function of the liver is the production and elimination of cholesterol. If your liver is damaged or not functioning properly, cholesterol can build up, causing fatty liver disease, which can increase your risk of diabetes or stroke.

Is there a connection between thyroid and cholesterol levels?

The thyroid gland has a direct impact on cholesterol levels. Individuals living with low thyroid function (hypothyroidism) may have higher cholesterol levels than those with normal thyroid function. This is because thyroid hormones help the liver break down and eliminate cholesterol. If the thyroid isn’t functioning properly, it may cause a buildup of LDL in your blood. Thyroid hormone treatment may result in a reduction of total cholesterol levels.

Total Cholesterol Test

Who is getting tested? *

Test Type