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Patient Education

Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn about general health issues that may not be related to Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein

Total cholesterol

Total cholesterol is the sum of all cholesterol measured in a person's blood. This total includes high-density lipoprotein (HDL), which is sometimes called the "good cholesterol," and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), sometimes called the "bad cholesterol," and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL).

Cholesterol is measured either in milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL) or in millimoles per liter of blood (mmol/L).

The ratio of total cholesterol to "good" (HDL) cholesterol is also important, especially if total cholesterol is high.

Pacific Sinus Center