Quest Diagnostics Total Cholesterol Test
Type
Blood Testing
Biomarkers
4
Duration
30 min
Results
24 hours
This cholesterol test measures the total amount of cholesterol in your blood, which can help identify your risk for developing cardiovascular health issues like heart disease and stroke.
Total cholesterol testing can help assess your risk for cardiovascular diseases, monitor existing conditions, or evaluate the effects of medications. This cholesterol test measures the total amount of cholesterol content in your blood based on your LDL (bad cholesterol) and HDL (good cholesterol) levels. High levels of LDL cholesterol in your blood may cause a buildup of fatty deposits in your arteries, which reduces blood flow. HDL cholesterol helps carry away LDL cholesterol while keeping your arteries open and allowing for blood to flow more freely. Too much cholesterol in your blood may damage arteries and blood vessels, which may increase the risk for stroke, heart attack, and heart disease.
Key Details
- Biomarkers
- 4–8 lipid markers
- Fasting Required
- Yes, 10–12 hours for accurate triglycerides
- Sample Type
- Blood draw
- Turnaround
- Same day to 24 hours
- Common Use
- Cardiovascular risk assessment
Who Is This For?
Adults over 20 as part of routine cardiovascular risk screening. Anyone with a family history of heart disease, high cholesterol, or stroke. People monitoring the effectiveness of statins or other lipid-lowering medications. Those with metabolic syndrome, diabetes, or obesity who face elevated cardiovascular risk.
What's Included
Preparation Required
Fasting for 10–12 hours before your appointment is recommended for accurate results (water is fine). Avoid alcohol for 24 hours and intense exercise for 12 hours before the blood draw. Morning appointments are ideal for consistent hormone and glucose readings. The blood draw typically takes 5–10 minutes.
Biomarkers Tested
4The most common type of fat in the body, stored for energy. Elevated triglycerides — often from excess sugar, alcohol, or calories — increase cardiovascular risk and can cause pancreatitis at very high levels.
Lp(a) is a cholesterol-carrying particle linked to genetic risk for heart disease. High levels increase cardiovascular risk.
The combined measure of all cholesterol in your blood, including HDL, LDL, and VLDL. While useful as an overview, the breakdown between HDL and LDL is more clinically meaningful for assessing cardiovascular risk.
Often called 'good' cholesterol, HDL carries cholesterol away from arteries back to the liver for removal. Higher HDL levels are protective against heart disease. Exercise, healthy fats, and moderate alcohol intake can raise HDL.
- Category
- Diagnostic
- Sample Type
- Blood draw
- Duration
- 30 min
- Results
- 24 hours