Professional
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
non-HDL cholesterol
Total cholesterol minus HDL cholesterol, representing all atherogenic lipoproteins.
Full Definition
Non-HDL cholesterol is calculated as total cholesterol minus HDL cholesterol and represents the cholesterol content of all potentially atherogenic lipoproteins, including LDL, VLDL, and intermediate-density lipoproteins. This parameter is particularly useful for risk assessment and treatment monitoring in patients with hypertriglyceridemia, where LDL cholesterol calculations may be inaccurate. Non-HDL cholesterol targets are typically 30 mg/dL higher than corresponding LDL cholesterol goals.
Usage
Usage note: Hyphenate as 'non-HDL' throughout. Often abbreviated as non-HDL-C in clinical notes.
In Context
- "The patient's non-HDL cholesterol of 165 mg/dL exceeded the target of 130 mg/dL for high-risk individuals." — Laboratory review
- "Non-HDL cholesterol may be a better therapeutic target than LDL when triglycerides exceed 200 mg/dL." — Clinical guideline
Also known as
non-HDL-C
Contrasted with
HDL cholesterol
Don't confuse with
LDL cholesterol
total cholesterol