total cholesterol
CardiologyBlood sampleEst. 24h
Total Cholesterol
Total Cholesterol measures the overall amount of cholesterol in your blood. People get it as a simple first step in checking heart disease risk.
Sample
Blood
Results
Est. 24h
Prep
Check details
Follow-up
Optional add-on
What this test detects
Total cholesterol
Enzymatic colorimetry · serum
Quantitative · mg/dL
When to get this test
Heart disease risk screening
A high total cholesterol can signal increased risk and prompt further testing.
Routine check-ups
Often measured as part of a general adult health assessment.
Tracking progress
Helps show whether lifestyle changes or treatment are improving cholesterol levels.
How to prepare
01
No fasting is required for this blood test.
02
Tell the clinic about medicines you recently took, especially pain or fever medicines, so your result can be interpreted properly.
Common questions
Is total cholesterol enough on its own?
It is a useful starting point, but HDL, LDL, and triglycerides give a fuller picture of your heart risk.
Do I need to fast?
No. Fasting is not required for Total Cholesterol unless your doctor gave separate instructions for other tests in the same order.