Adults: 120- 200 mg/dl
Children: 115-170 mg/dl
In the International System of Units (SI), cholesterol in the blood is measured in mmol/L. The normal cholesterol levels in the blood in the SI are:
Adults: 3.1-5.17 mmol/l
Children: 2.97-4.39 mmol/l
Each laboratory must establish its own normal ranges for AST (aspartate aminotransferase) in the blood. These ranges depend on the makeup of the local population, the technologies used and the accuracy of the measurement. There may be also slight differences in the normal levels, according to age, gender, race or ethnic origin, geographic region, diet, type of sample and other relevant status.
Your doctor will study the results along with your medical record, screenings, physical condition, symptoms and any other relevant information about your situation.
Cholesterol is a type of fat essential for the body's cells. Cholesterol is part of the cell membrane, nerve fibers and bile salts. Cholesterol is also the precursor of sexual hormones.
For this reason, cholesterol is present in the bloodstream to be used by the cells when it is required.
Cholesterol originates from the diet. Then, cholesterol is metabolized in the liver that secretes it into the bloodstream. An excess of cholesterol is carried back to the liver for excretion into bile.
Cholesterol is used as a cardiovascular risk factor. The higher the cholesterol in the blood is, the higher probability to suffer a cardiovascular disease (heart attack) or a cerebrovascular disease (stroke).
If the cholesterol in the blood is high, it is probable the build-up of an atheromatous plaque impeding blood flow. An atheromatous plaque, also called atheroma, is an accumulation of cholesterol and other lipid compositions that forms on the inner wall of vessels, which can finally narrow an artery.
The lipid profile is a group of assays to determine the risk of developing a cardiovascular disease. The lipid profile includes the measurement of cholesterol (total, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol) and triglycerides.
A high level of cholesterol in the blood (hypercholesterolemia) increases the risk for developing a cardiovascular disease. A normal or a low level of cholesterol (hypocholesterolemia) in the blood prevents cardiovascular disease. However, a very low level of cholesterol in the blood is a risk factor for suffering primary intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).
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The following values are considered to be normal values:
IMPORTANT: These levels are expressed in mg/dl. They are an example of a healthy man of about 45 years old with no known disease and not taking any medication. The ranges can be different depending on the laboratory or on your personal circumstances.
Total cholesterol | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Normality | |||||||
| 120 mg/dl | 121 mg/dl | 122 mg/dl | 123 mg/dl | 124 mg/dl | 125 mg/dl | 126 mg/dl | 127 mg/dl |
| 128 mg/dl | 129 mg/dl | 130 mg/dl | 131 mg/dl | 132 mg/dl | 133 mg/dl | 134 mg/dl | 135 mg/dl |
| 136 mg/dl | 137 mg/dl | 138 mg/dl | 139 mg/dl | 140 mg/dl | 141 mg/dl | 142 mg/dl | 143 mg/dl |
| 144 mg/dl | 145 mg/dl | 146 mg/dl | 147 mg/dl | 148 mg/dl | 149 mg/dl | 150 mg/dl | 151 mg/dl |
| 152 mg/dl | 153 mg/dl | 154 mg/dl | 155 mg/dl | 156 mg/dl | 157 mg/dl | 158 mg/dl | 159 mg/dl |
| 160 mg/dl | 161 mg/dl | 162 mg/dl | 163 mg/dl | 164 mg/dl | 165 mg/dl | 166 mg/dl | 167 mg/dl |
| 168 mg/dl | 169 mg/dl | 170 mg/dl | 171 mg/dl | 172 mg/dl | 173 mg/dl | 174 mg/dl | 175 mg/dl |
| 176 mg/dl | 177 mg/dl | 178 mg/dl | 179 mg/dl | 180 mg/dl | 181 mg/dl | 182 mg/dl | 183 mg/dl |
| 184 mg/dl | 185 mg/dl | 186 mg/dl | 187 mg/dl | 188 mg/dl | 189 mg/dl | 190 mg/dl | 191 mg/dl |
| 192 mg/dl | 193 mg/dl | 194 mg/dl | 195 mg/dl | 196 mg/dl | 197 mg/dl | 198 mg/dl | 199 mg/dl |
| 200 mg/dl | |||||||
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