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LIPID PANEL
Also printed as: HDL-C · High-density lipoprotein · Good cholesterol
Educational only — not medical advice.
HDL measures cholesterol carried by high-density lipoprotein particles, which move cholesterol away from tissues and back toward the liver. It is often described as the "good" fraction for that reason. The number reflects how much cholesterol those particles are carrying, not how well they work.
HDL adds context to the rest of the lipid panel rather than standing alone. Research has complicated the simple "higher is better" story, so clinicians read it as one input into overall risk.
TYPICAL ADULT RANGE
Many labs report 40 mg/dL or above as desirable for men and 50 mg/dL or above for women. Ranges vary by lab. Reported in mg/dL.
Reference ranges vary by lab, by method, and by age and sex. Always read your own result against the range printed on your report.
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A lower HDL is common and has ordinary contributors: lower physical activity, smoking, extra body weight, a very high-carbohydrate eating pattern, and genetics. It often moves inversely with triglycerides, so the two are read together. Raising it is less straightforward than lowering LDL, and what is worth doing in your case is a discussion for your doctor rather than a generic prescription.
A higher HDL has generally been considered favourable, and regular exercise, moderate alcohol, and genetics all contribute. More recent evidence suggests very high values do not necessarily add further benefit, so most clinicians treat a high HDL as reassuring context rather than a goal in itself. If yours is unusually high, it is worth a passing mention at your next visit but is rarely a source of concern.
Your doctor is the one who can read this number against your history, symptoms, and medications.
Educational only — not medical advice. Lab results only mean something alongside your history, symptoms, medications, and the rest of your panel. Bring questions to your doctor; they are the one who can interpret your results for you.
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