Also known as: Cholesterol Panel, Lipid Profile, Lipid Panel with HDL/LDL
The short answer
Lipid Panel measures Total Cholesterol, HDL Cholesterol and LDL Cholesterol (calculated) plus 1 more from a standard blood draw. At TestWell it costs $24.99 plus a $6 lab fee, requires an 8–12 hour fast, and results post in 1–3 business days. Physician-authorized with no doctor's visit or insurance needed; draw at Quest or Labcorp.
Hospital Lab
$150
cash pay
Other Labs
$59
+ lab fees
TestWell
$24.99
+ $6 lab fee
The standard Lipid Panel measures four key blood fats that determine your cardiovascular risk. High LDL ('bad' cholesterol) and triglycerides increase your risk of heart disease, while high HDL ('good' cholesterol) is protective. This test is recommended every 4–6 years for healthy adults and more frequently if you have risk factors.
Measures total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides. The standard cardiovascular-risk screening test recommended every 4-6 years for adults under 40 and annually for adults over 40.
Adults 20+ with any cardiovascular risk factors, family history of heart disease, anyone on or considering statins, GLP-1 patients monitoring metabolic shifts, anyone starting a new diet or exercise program.
Sample Type
Blood draw
Fasting
Required
Results In
1–3 business days
Performed At
Quest or Labcorp
4 biomarkers tested · 3 measured, 1 calculated from them
Your Lipid Panel results will include values for each of the 4 biomarkers tested, along with reference ranges. Results are reviewed by a licensed physician before being released to your secure portal.
If any values fall outside the normal range, your report will include guidance on what that may mean and recommended next steps. You'll receive an email notification when your results are ready, typically within 1–3 business days.
Typical reference range layout
Lab reports show where your value sits relative to established reference intervals—your physician interprets this in context for you.
Fasting for 9–12 hours is recommended for accurate triglyceride and LDL results. Water is okay.
The short answer
Yes - a lipid panel is the core cardiovascular screening test and is worth it every 4-6 years for healthy adults, more often with risk factors. It is cheap, fast, and directly informs heart-disease risk and statin decisions.
A standard lipid panel is a venous draw at Quest or Labcorp, or an at-home mobile draw where available. Traditionally you fasted 9-12 hours, but most guidelines now accept non-fasting lipid testing for routine screening; fast only if your provider specifically asks or you are tracking triglycerides closely.
The markers that matter most and what an out-of-range value can mean. Reference ranges vary by lab, age and sex.
| Marker | Typical range | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| LDL cholesterol | Under 100 mg/dL optimal | The 'bad' cholesterol; higher levels raise heart-disease risk. Targets are lower (under 70) if you already have heart disease or diabetes. |
| HDL cholesterol | 40+ (men) / 50+ (women) mg/dL | The 'good' cholesterol; higher is protective, low HDL raises risk. |
| Triglycerides | Under 150 mg/dL | High levels track with insulin resistance, excess alcohol, refined carbs, and metabolic risk. |
| Total cholesterol | Under 200 mg/dL | A summary number; interpret alongside LDL, HDL, and triglycerides rather than on its own. |
This section medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD — updated June 2026. General health information, not medical advice; interpret results with a qualified clinician.
A Lipid Panel test costs $24.99 at TestWell — $30.99 all-in when ordered alone, because the $6 lab processing fee is charged once per order, with no draw fee or physician fee added. Ordered directly from the labs' own consumer sites, the same test lists at $59.00 at Quest Health and $59.00 at Labcorp OnDemand (list prices checked Sep 12, 2026). Hospital outpatient labs typically bill around $150.00 self-pay for the same test, and often more. With insurance, what you pay depends on your deductible and your plan's negotiated rate; TestWell's price is fixed before the draw and is HSA/FSA-eligible. Full cost breakdown →
| Where you order | Price | One test, all-in | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| TestWell (drawn at Quest or Labcorp) | $24.99 | $30.99 | Includes the one $6 lab processing fee, charged once per order |
| Quest Health (Quest Diagnostics' own site) | $59.00 | $59.00 | list price checked Sep 12, 2026 |
| Labcorp OnDemand (Labcorp's own site) | $59.00 | $59.00 | list price checked Sep 12, 2026 |
| Hospital outpatient lab, self-pay (typical) | $150.00 | $150.00 | Reference figure; hospital charges vary widely by facility and are often higher |
47% less than the lower lab-direct list price, for the same draw at the same lab. Lab test codes: Quest test code 7600 · Labcorp test no. 303756 · BioReference code 0009-1. Competitor prices are read from the linked public pages and re-checked regularly; the labs' sites may add taxes or change prices without notice.
Compare more: Quest Diagnostics price list · Labcorp price list · Quest vs Labcorp · Lab test price checker
Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD · Last reviewed September 2026
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TestWell Price
$24.99
+ $6 lab processing fee at checkout
No insurance needed · HIPAA compliant
Better value: the Heart Health Panel
Save $47.96This test is part of the Heart Health Panel — 5 tests · 8 biomarkers for $99.99, $47.96 less than à la carte.
$99.99$147.95
5 tests · 8 biomarkers
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Lipid Panel
$24.99