Total Cholesterol levels: what's normal, high and low
The sum of all cholesterol types in your blood. One marker of cardiovascular risk.
Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD · Last reviewed September 2026
The short answer
Total Cholesterol is measured with a standard blood draw after an 8–12 hour fast. A typical reference range is 125 – 200 mg/dL. At TestWell it's $24.99 all-in as Lipid Panel, results in 1–3 business days, drawn at Quest or Labcorp. An out-of-range result is a prompt to look closer, not a diagnosis.
- Units
- mg/dL
- Sample
- Blood draw
- Fasting
- 8–12 hours
- Results
- 1–3 business days
- Price
- $24.99
- Labs
- Quest or Labcorp · BioReference in NY/NJ
Total Cholesterol Reference Range
These are the typical adult reference ranges used by major US labs. Your report will include the specific range used by the lab that processed your sample.
| Population | Range |
|---|---|
| age 18+ | 125 – 200 mg/dL |
Reference ranges are educational. Always interpret your result with the specific range printed on your lab report and discuss anything outside the range with a clinician.
What your Total Cholesterol result may mean
Above 200 mg/dL is considered borderline high; above 240 mg/dL is high. Family history, diet, and activity all influence this.
What a high Total Cholesterol means: causes, symptoms, next steps →Educational only — not a diagnosis. Many factors can influence a single result. Discuss anything that concerns you with a healthcare provider.
How do you get a Total Cholesterol test?
Order online, a licensed physician reviews the requisition, and you walk into a nearby lab for the draw. Total Cholesterol is available on its own or inside these panels — panels cost less per marker when you want the fuller picture.
| Option | Includes | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Lipid Panel | This marker only | $24.99 |
| General Wellness Panel | 4 tests | $89.99 |
| Pre-Diabetes Panel | 5 tests | $89.99 |
| Fatty Liver Panel | 6 tests | $92.99 |
| Heart Health Panel | 5 tests | $99.99 |
Quest vs. Labcorp for Total Cholesterol: which lab should you pick?
Both are CLIA-certified national labs and the result is clinically equivalent, so pick whichever location is closer. Your report will print that lab's own reference range, which can differ slightly from the table above.
| Lab | Available | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Quest Diagnostics | Yes | $24.99 |
| Labcorp | Yes | $24.99 |
| BioReference (NY & NJ) | Yes | $27.99 |
Need help choosing a location? Use the lab finder to see draw sites near your ZIP.
Related Heart Health biomarkers
Markers commonly tested alongside Total Cholesterol.
Frequently asked
Above 200 mg/dL is considered borderline high; above 240 mg/dL is high. Family history, diet, and activity all influence this. A single result above the reference range is a prompt to look closer with a clinician — often a repeat test and related markers — not a diagnosis on its own.
Ready to test your total cholesterol?
Order in two minutes, get physician-approved, and visit a lab the same day. Starts at $24.99.