$2.00
Priced per marker, with baseline labs included. You’ll see your total before you pay.
Heart & circulation
Total cholesterol test
Sum of all cholesterol particles; broad cardiovascular risk indicator.
At a glance
In about 5 days
Most results are ready in about 5 days. Some specialty markers can take up to 21 days.
Fast for 8–12 hours first
Contact us before your draw if you’re not sure.
Walk in at Quest
Your lab order arrives by email. Most Quest locations take walk-ins, so bring it with a photo ID.
What it measures
Total cholesterol adds up all the cholesterol in your blood, both the kind that can clog arteries and the kind that helps clear it. It’s a broad first look at heart health.
Why it matters for women
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women. Cholesterol can rise around menopause and can climb naturally during pregnancy, so timing matters when you read a result. Tracking it over the years tells you more than any single result.
You might check it if…
- it’s been a few years since your last cholesterol check
- heart disease runs in your family
- you’re heading into or past menopause
- your blood pressure or blood sugar runs high
What your result may mean
High Total cholesterol: what it may mean
High total cholesterol may point to a higher chance of heart disease and stroke over time, though it can be less specific than ApoB or an LDL particle count. Diet, family history, an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), diabetes and kidney disease can raise it. It can rise around menopause and climb naturally in pregnancy, so timing can matter. High HDL can also lift the total, and you may feel fine either way, since high cholesterol can cause no symptoms. LDL, HDL and triglycerides can give more detail.
Low Total cholesterol: what it may mean
Low total cholesterol may not be a concern on its own, and cholesterol-lowering medicines can bring it down on purpose. Very low total cholesterol can come with poor nutrition (malnutrition), an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), severe liver disease or an inherited condition called hypobetalipoproteinemia. A serious recent illness can pull it down for a while too. With an overactive thyroid, you may notice weight loss, a racing heart or feeling hot. Thyroid and liver tests can help if the value is unexpected.
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No insurance required · HSA/FSA eligible · No subscription
These notes provide context and do not diagnose a condition. Not yet available in NY, NJ, RI, HI, ND, SD or WV.