How Important Is Your Total Cholesterol Measurement?

Total cholesterol, a combination of LDL, VLDL, and HDL circulating in your blood, is one of the most commonly viewed measurements on a lipid profile. Total cholesterol measurements are easy to obtain and can give you an idea of whether or not your cholesterol is too high. But is this the only reading you need to look at? Short answer, no.

Your total cholesterol levels may be able to alert you that there is a problem with your lipids – and an increased risk of having heart disease, but it doesn’t tell you the whole story. For instance, if your total cholesterol is high, it may be due to your VLDL, LDL, HDL, or a combination of these factors. If your total cholesterol levels are high because of your LDL levels are elevated, this could indicate that you not only have high cholesterol – you could be at risk for heart disease in the future if it is not addressed. In this case, based on how high your LDL levels are, you may be prescribed medication or need to make changes to your lifestyle. However, if your total cholesterol is high due to your high HDL levels, this is not necessarily a bad thing – high HDL cholesterol can be protective against heart disease.

The National Cholesterol Education Program recommends that your total cholesterol levels should not exceed 200 mg/dL. If your total cholesterol levels appear high, check your individual lipid levels that make up your total cholesterol measurement before hitting the panic button. Depending on which lipoproteins are high, your healthcare provider will decide which treatment is needed, which could range from lifestyle modification to taking medications.

_Sources:

_{Dipiro JT, Talbert RL. Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiological Approach, 7th ed 2008.}

_{Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation,and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults, July 2004, The National Institutes of Health: The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.}