This guide uses two sources: MedlinePlus (the US National Library of Medicine) for general healthy ranges, and the Cardiological Society of India (CSI) guidelines, published in the Indian Heart Journal in 2024, for Indian targets by risk.
Number 1: LDL normal range, the "bad" cholesterol
What it is: LDL is often called "bad" cholesterol because it is the main source of cholesterol buildup and blockage in the arteries (MedlinePlus).
Healthy level: below 100 mg/dL for adults (MedlinePlus). India's CSI guidelines set lower targets for people at higher risk; see the risk table below.
India's CSI targets are set first on LDL, so read it first.
Number 2: HDL normal range, the "good" cholesterol
What it is: HDL is often called "good" cholesterol because it helps remove cholesterol from your arteries (MedlinePlus).
Healthy level: 60 mg/dL or more is best. HDL is considered low below 40 mg/dL in men and below 50 mg/dL in women (MedlinePlus). CSI's goals match: above 40 in men and above 50 in women.
Unlike the other two, for HDL higher is better. Regular exercise and quitting smoking both help raise it; see habits that raise cholesterol.
Number 3: Triglycerides normal range
What it is: another type of fat in your blood that can raise your risk of heart disease, especially in women (MedlinePlus).
Healthy level: below 150 mg/dL (MedlinePlus; CSI).
Triglycerides change the most after a meal, which matters for the fasting question below.
Lipid profile normal range table (adults)
Test | Healthy level (mg/dL) | Direction |
|---|---|---|
LDL cholesterol | Below 100 | Lower is better |
HDL cholesterol | 60 or more is best; low below 40 (men) / 50 (women) | Higher is better |
Triglycerides | Below 150 | Lower is better |
Total cholesterol | Below 200 | Lower is better |
Non-HDL cholesterol | Below 130 | Lower is better |
Source: MedlinePlus, adults aged 20 and over. Indian labs usually report in mg/dL; if yours shows mmol/L, ask the lab for mg/dL or check the reference column printed beside your result.
Bonus: non-HDL cholesterol
Non-HDL is simply total cholesterol minus HDL. CSI's guidelines give non-HDL targets alongside LDL (below 130 for low and moderate risk). As reported at the guidelines' release, when triglycerides are above 150 mg/dL, non-HDL becomes the focus.
India's targets: CSI guidelines LDL target by risk
In 2024, the Cardiological Society of India published its guidelines on managing blood cholesterol. They set the target by how high your overall heart risk is, not one number for everyone:
Your risk category | LDL target (mg/dL) | Non-HDL target (mg/dL) |
|---|---|---|
Low | Below 100 | Below 130 |
Moderate | Below 100 | Below 130 |
High | Below 70 | Below 100 |
Very high | Below 55 | Below 85 |
Source: CSI clinical practice guidelines for dyslipidemia management, executive summary, Indian Heart Journal, 2024.
Which row are you? Your doctor decides, based on your full history. As reported at the guidelines' release, people with diabetes or high blood pressure fall in the high-risk group, and those with a previous heart attack, stroke or chronic kidney disease in the very-high-risk group. So a "normal" 95 mg/dL LDL may still be above your target.
Two more CSI recommendations:
- First test by 18: "All individuals should have their lipid profile evaluated by the age of 18."
- Lp(a) once in life: lipoprotein(a) "should be measured at least once in a lifetime". The CSI goal is below 50 mg/dL.
Fasting for lipid profile: do you really need it?
- India (CSI): recommends non-fasting lipid levels for risk estimation and treatment decisions.
- Europe (European Atherosclerosis Society, 2016): fasting is not routinely required. After normal meals, values changed by at most about 26 mg/dL for triglycerides and 8 mg/dL for total and LDL cholesterol. A fasting test may be needed if triglycerides are above 400 mg/dL.
- Some labs still ask for a fast: MedlinePlus says you'll usually need to fast for 9 to 12 hours, with only water.
Bottom line: follow the instruction your doctor or lab gives you. If they ask for a fast, drink only water.
How often should you test?
- First test: by age 18 (CSI).
- Younger adults: every 5 years (MedlinePlus).
- Men 45 to 65, women 55 to 65: every 1 to 2 years (MedlinePlus).
- Over 65: every year (MedlinePlus).
- If you are on treatment or changing your diet: your doctor will set the schedule.
How to read lipid profile report in 60 seconds
- LDL: is it below 100, or below your own CSI target?
- HDL: is it above 40 (men) or 50 (women), ideally 60+?
- Triglycerides: is it below 150?
- Then glance at total and non-HDL cholesterol, and Lp(a) if it was tested.
- Take the report to your doctor. The numbers guide the conversation; your doctor decides the treatment.
Lipid profile normal range at a glance
Question | Answer | Source |
|---|---|---|
Which 3 numbers first? | LDL, HDL, triglycerides | MedlinePlus |
Healthy LDL | Below 100; below 70 or 55 if high or very high risk | MedlinePlus; CSI |
Healthy HDL | 60+ best; low below 40 (men) / 50 (women) | MedlinePlus; CSI |
Healthy triglycerides | Below 150 | MedlinePlus; CSI |
Fasting? | Not routinely needed; follow your lab | CSI; EAS; MedlinePlus |
First test | By age 18 | CSI |
Know your lipid profile normal range? Now support it daily. Ayuvya Cholest Pro Juice is made for people working on healthy cholesterol levels, alongside the diet and habits in this series and your doctor's advice.
Read next:
- 6 foods that lower cholesterol naturally
- Walking after meals: the one habit every high-cholesterol person should know
- Habits that raise cholesterol: 4 silent ones to fix now
This article is for general education and is not medical advice. Reference ranges can differ slightly between labs; use the range printed on your report and your doctor's advice. Do not start, stop or change any medicine based on this article.
Sources
- CSI clinical practice guidelines for dyslipidemia management: Executive summary. Indian Heart Journal, 2024
- MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine): Cholesterol levels, what you need to know
- American College of Cardiology summary of Nordestgaard BG et al. Fasting is not routinely required for determination of a lipid profile (EAS/EFLM consensus). Eur Heart J, 2016
- IANS via DT Next: Diabetes, BP patients must aim for bad cholesterol below 70 mg/dL, says CSI (2024)
