Non-HDL Cholesterol

What is it? 

Non-HDL cholesterol (non-HDL-C) – is the total cholesterol minus the concentration of 'good' (HDL) cholesterol. It includes 'bad' LDL, VLDL, IDL, and other atherogenic lipoproteins. 

When is it recommended? 

• To assess cardiovascular disease risk; 
• To monitor treatment effectiveness (especially when triglyceride levels are elevated); 
• When it is not possible to accurately determine LDL cholesterol. 

Benefits for the patient: 

Non-HDL cholesterol is often considered a better risk marker than LDL cholesterol alone, as it includes more particles promoting atherosclerosis. It is especially beneficial for patients with metabolic syndrome, diabetes, or hypertriglyceridemia. 

What do the results mean? 

• Increased non-HDL cholesterol – indicates an increased risk of atherosclerosis, heart attack, stroke; 
• Decreased – shows better lipid control, especially if the treatment goal is achieved (often <2.6 mmol/l or <2.0 mmol/l for high-risk individuals). 

Important to know: 

The test does not require fasting, although sometimes a doctor may recommend a morning blood draw on an empty stomach. Treatment success is assessed as a whole – not just by this single indicator.