What is my non-HDL cholesterol?
Total minus HDL: the cholesterol in every particle that can clog an artery. Put in your panel and see it against the 2026 goal for your risk.
Showing an example panel. Type your own numbers.
Leave LDL blank if your report says calculated.
ApoB, if your report has it
Both sets of changes apply. Start with triglycerides, since they move in weeks.
Non-HDL
Total minus HDL: the cholesterol in every particle that can clog an artery177mg/dL, 4.6 mmol/L
Compared with under 130 mg/dL. Its goals sit 30 points above LDL's, and with triglycerides of 150 or more the guideline finds it the better guide.
LDL
The NIH equation, from your other three numbers134mg/dL, 3.5 mmol/L
The newer equation says 134, and many labs would print 129. A gap of 5 mg/dL.
Clears 0 of 3 goal lines. Compared with under 100, the goal at borderline or intermediate risk. Ask your doctor for your PREVENT score to find your rung.
Triglycerides
Not fasting240mg/dL, 2.7 mmol/L
Over the nonfasting line of 175, the guideline's line for treating triglycerides with lifestyle.
- HDL
- 38Low, under 40. Higher isn't a goal.
- Total to HDL
- 5.7No goal in the 2026 guideline
- Triglycerides to HDL
- 6.3No goal either
- Remnant, an estimate
- 43Total minus HDL minus LDL. Rises with triglycerides
- Total
- 215Under the NCHS line of 240, and the guideline sets no goal for it
You're 34 points from under 100, the goal at borderline or intermediate risk. The biggest single food change in trials takes off about 13. A gap this size is a conversation to have with your doctor.
Next step. Start with alcohol and sweet drinks for your triglycerides, add the fat swap and 10 g of psyllium for your LDL, then retest at the same lab in 6 to 12 weeks. The LDL plan
If you ate before this test, your LDL moved about 8 points at most, your triglycerides about 26.
What your result means
Your non-HDL goal is under 130 mg/dL at borderline or intermediate risk, under 100 at high risk and under 85 after a heart attack or stroke. When triglycerides are normal it runs about 30 points above your LDL.
- Under your goal: nothing to change. Test again at least every 5 years.
- Over it, with normal triglycerides: it's mostly LDL. The fat swap and soluble fiber are the biggest food changes trials measured.
- Over it, with triglycerides of 150 or more: more cholesterol is riding in triglyceride particles. Alcohol, sweet drinks and weight move it fastest, and it can drop within weeks.
- 190 or more: the guideline lists that as a risk enhancer, something to tell your doctor about.
Why non-HDL
Non-HDL counts the cholesterol in LDL and in the particles that carry triglycerides, so it still works when triglycerides are high, where a calculated LDL slips. The 2026 guideline says non-HDL predicts heart and stroke risk better than LDL, and it is most useful when triglycerides are 150 or more. It needs no fasting and no equation: total minus HDL.
| Which fits you | LDL goal | Non-HDL goal |
|---|---|---|
| Heart attack, stroke, stent or bypass | under 55 mg/dL1.4 mmol/L, or under 70 (1.8) if your doctor says you're not at very high risk | under 85 mg/dL2.2 mmol/L, or under 100 (2.6) if your doctor says you're not at very high risk |
| Diabetes, ages 40 to 75 | under 100 mg/dL2.6 mmol/L, or under 70 (1.8) if your doctor puts your 10-year risk over 10% | under 130 mg/dL3.4 mmol/L, or under 100 (2.6) if your doctor puts your 10-year risk over 10% |
| High 10-year risk (10% or more) | under 70 mg/dL1.8 mmol/L | under 100 mg/dL2.6 mmol/L |
| Borderline or intermediate risk (3 to under 10%) | under 100 mg/dL2.6 mmol/L | under 130 mg/dL3.4 mmol/L |
| Low risk (under 3%) | No number goal, healthy habits | No number goal, healthy habits |
From the 2026 ACC/AHA guideline, with the low-risk and diabetes rows as Labcorp's summary sets them out. An LDL of 190 or more is a doctor visit at any risk.
2 sources
- Blumenthal RS, Morris PB, Gaudino M and others, 2026 ACC/AHA guideline on the management of dyslipidemia, JACC, 2026doi.org
- Labcorp, 2026 ACC/AHA dyslipidemia guideline updatelabcorp.com
