Total Cholesterol Test

The Total Cholesterol test measures the overall level of all cholesterol fractions in your blood. It is used to screen for cardiovascular risk, monitor patients on cholesterol-lowering medications, assess hereditary cholesterol conditions, and as part of the Lipid Profile panel. High total cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart attack, stroke, and atherosclerosis.

While total cholesterol is not significantly affected by a single meal, 9–12 hours of fasting is recommended — especially when ordered as part of a Lipid Profile — because LDL and Triglyceride calculations require fasting conditions for accuracy. Water is permitted during the fasting period. Your Medall team will confirm fasting requirements when booking.

Total Cholesterol is the sum of all cholesterol fractions in your blood — LDL + HDL + VLDL. LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) is specifically the 'bad' cholesterol that deposits in artery walls and causes blockages. Total cholesterol gives an overview, while LDL is the primary target for cardiovascular risk reduction. Both are measured in the Lipid Profile.

Blood draw takes under 5 minutes. If you have booked a home collection, our certified phlebotomist arrives at your chosen time. Your Total Cholesterol report is typically ready within 6 hours of sample collection and delivered to your email and WhatsApp.

Total cholesterol above 240 mg/dL is considered high and indicates elevated cardiovascular risk. However, the significance depends on the breakdown of HDL vs. LDL. Your physician will evaluate your full Lipid Profile alongside other risk factors — blood pressure, diabetes, smoking history, family history — to assess overall cardiovascular risk and recommend appropriate management.

Very low total cholesterol (below 150 mg/dL) is uncommon and can be associated with malnutrition, hyperthyroidism, severe liver disease, or certain cancers. It may also be seen in patients on very aggressive statin therapy. Your physician will evaluate low cholesterol in clinical context.

Adults above 20 should have a baseline Lipid Profile. If levels are normal and risk factors are low, repeating every 4–5 years is generally adequate. If you have elevated cholesterol, diabetes, hypertension, or are on lipid-lowering medication, annual or more frequent testing is recommended. Consult your physician for a personalised screening schedule.

Book online at medall.in, through the Medall app, by calling +91 7550 177 777, or via WhatsApp. Home sample collection is available — our certified phlebotomist comes to your doorstep at your chosen time. S5 — MOST BOOKED TESTS AT MEDALL Most Booked Tests at Medall Trusted by millions of patients across South India — these are the tests our doctors recommend most. Test Price Description Complete Blood Count (CBC) ₹X/* Screens for anaemia, infections, and immune health Thyroid Profile (T3, T4, TSH) ₹X/* Detects hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and thyroid disorders HbA1c — Diabetes Monitoring ₹X/* 3-month average blood sugar — essential for diabetes management Liver Function Test (LFT) ₹X/* Complete liver health panel including ALT, AST, Albumin, Bilirubin & more [View All Popular Tests →]