Which tests measure High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol?

High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol is measured in 3 tests on BiomarkersLabs.com, including Advanced Metabolic Panel Plus, HDL Cholesterol (High-Density Lipoprotein) Test, Standard Lipid Panel.

Biomarker Reference · HDL-C

What does the High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol test measure?

Q: What is the reference range for High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol?

The standard reference range for High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol is Higher is generally favourable: ≥40 mg/dL (males), ≥50 mg/dL (females) # REVIEWER FLAG: Sex-specific thresholds are guideline-based — reviewer to confirm framing and units.. Reference ranges vary by laboratory and assay platform — interpret in context of the issuing laboratory's stated range.

High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) is a clinical biomarker used in cardiovascular assessment. High-density lipoprotein is the smallest, densest lipoprotein, assembled in the liver and intestine around apolipoprotein A-I. It is measured in 3 laboratory tests on BiomarkersLabs.com.

Reference Range: Higher is generally favourable: ≥40 mg/dL (males), ≥50 mg/dL (females) # REVIEWER FLAG: Sex-specific thresholds are guideline-based — reviewer to confirm framing and units.
Units: mmol/L, mg/dL
Measured In: 3 tests
Category: Cardiovascular

Functional medicine optimalOptimal HDL-C is generally considered >1.5 mmol/L (60 mg/dL), though interventions that raise HDL-C do not consistently reduce cardiovascular events, suggesting that HDL function may matter more than concentration.

What is High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol?

High-density lipoprotein is the smallest, densest lipoprotein, assembled in the liver and intestine around apolipoprotein A-I. It is central to reverse cholesterol transport, accepting cholesterol from peripheral tissues — including macrophages within the arterial wall — and returning it to the liver for excretion, and it carries anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. HDL-C is the cholesterol contained within these particles; it is a measure of cholesterol concentration, not of HDL particle number or particle function.

Why is High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol measured?

HDL-C is a core component of the lipid profile and an input to cardiovascular risk scoring, and is required to derive non-HDL cholesterol and calculated LDL-C. Low HDL-C is an independent, epidemiologically robust risk marker, but it is a marker rather than a validated treatment target: raising HDL-C pharmacologically (CETP inhibitors, niacin) has not reduced cardiovascular events, and Mendelian randomisation does not support a simple causal protective effect. It is therefore interpreted within the full lipid profile and global risk rather than in isolation.

Reference ranges

Standard reference: Higher is generally favourable: ≥40 mg/dL (males), ≥50 mg/dL (females) # REVIEWER FLAG: Sex-specific thresholds are guideline-based — reviewer to confirm framing and units.
Functional medicine optimal: Optimal HDL-C is generally considered >1.5 mmol/L (60 mg/dL), though interventions that raise HDL-C do not consistently reduce cardiovascular events, suggesting that HDL function may matter more than concentration.
Units: mmol/L, mg/dL

Reference ranges vary by laboratory and assay platform. Interpret in context of the issuing laboratory's stated range.

Tests that measure High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol

3 tests on BiomarkersLabs.com include this biomarker.

BML-MET-019Comprehensive

Advanced Metabolic Panel Plus

High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol reference range in this test: >1.0 mmol/L (40 mg/dL) in men, >1.3 mmol/L (50 mg/dL) in women

BML-CAR-029Comprehensive

HDL Cholesterol (High-Density Lipoprotein) Test

High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol reference range in this test: Desirable: ≥40 mg/dL in men (≥1.0 mmol/L), ≥50 mg/dL in women (≥1.3 mmol/L); ≥60 mg/dL (≥1.55 mmol/L) traditionally regarded as protective

BML-CAR-001Comprehensive

Standard Lipid Panel

High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol reference range in this test: Higher is generally favourable: ≥40 mg/dL (males), ≥50 mg/dL (females) # REVIEWER FLAG: Sex-specific thresholds are guideline-based — reviewer to confirm framing and units.

Related clinical conditions

Related Biomarkers

Frequently measured alongside

TriglyceridesTG4 tests Total CholesterolTC3 tests Fasting Plasma GlucoseFPG1 test Haemoglobin A1cHbA1c5 tests Fasting InsulinInsulin2 tests Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin ResistanceHOMA-IR2 tests Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (calculated)LDL-C1 test Serum CreatinineCr6 tests

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