What's this test for?

This test is ideal if you're concerned about your heart health or want to understand your risk for cardiovascular disease. It's also useful if you've made lifestyle changes like starting an exercise routine or quitting smoking and want to see how they're affecting your "good" cholesterol. Many people order this test as part of a routine wellness check to catch potential heart risks early.

What's included in this test?

This test measures a single, specific marker: HDL cholesterol, often called "good" cholesterol because it helps remove excess cholesterol from your bloodstream. Checking this one number gives you a clear, focused snapshot of one important piece of your cardiovascular risk picture without the cost of a full panel.

What happens after I get my results?

Your HDL cholesterol result will show up in your account along with the normal reference range so you can see exactly where you fall. If your level is lower than optimal, next steps like increasing physical activity, adjusting your diet, or cutting back on smoking can help raise it, and retesting in a few months lets you track progress. You can download a standard lab report anytime from your account, and the trends feature lets you watch how your HDL changes over time. If your result is extremely low or you notice symptoms like chest pain, seek medical care right away.

How can I naturally support healthy HDL cholesterol?

Regular aerobic exercise, like brisk walking or cycling, is one of the most effective ways to raise HDL naturally. Eating more healthy fats from sources like olive oil, nuts, and fatty fish, while cutting back on trans fats, can also help. Quitting smoking and maintaining a healthy weight both support better HDL levels, and moderate alcohol consumption has been linked to higher HDL in some people, though this isn't a recommendation to start drinking.

When will I get my results?

Results are typically ready within about 7 days of your lab visit. Once processed, they'll be uploaded directly to your secure online account where you can view and download them.

Who should consider this test?

Anyone interested in monitoring their heart disease risk should consider this test, especially people with a family history of heart disease, those who are overweight, smokers, or people with diabetes. It's also a smart choice if you're already tracking cholesterol and want a quick, affordable way to check your HDL specifically. People who've recently changed their diet or exercise habits may want to see how those changes are paying off.

What symptoms indicate I may need this test?

Cholesterol imbalances usually don't cause obvious symptoms, which is exactly why testing matters. However, if you have risk factors like excess weight, high stress, a sedentary lifestyle, or a family history of heart disease, it's worth checking even without symptoms. Some people only discover an issue after a related event like chest pain or high blood pressure, so proactive testing is the better approach.

What does low HDL cholesterol mean?

A low HDL level means your body may not be clearing excess cholesterol from your blood as efficiently, which can raise your risk for heart disease over time. Low HDL is commonly linked to obesity, smoking, chronic stress, lack of exercise, and diabetes. The good news is that lifestyle changes like increasing physical activity and improving your diet can often help raise it.

What causes low HDL cholesterol?

Common causes of low HDL include a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, poor diet high in processed and trans fats, excess body weight, and uncontrolled diabetes. Chronic stress can also play a role. Genetics matter too, so some people naturally run lower even with healthy habits.

How often should I retest my HDL cholesterol?

If your levels are in a healthy range, retesting once a year alongside a routine check-up is generally enough. If you're actively working to improve your HDL through diet or exercise changes, testing every 3 to 6 months can help you track your progress. Anyone with a higher heart disease risk may want to retest more frequently.

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short: In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want. If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test. Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout. If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want. When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system. Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way. You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy! If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

How do I know which test to get?

In the test options, find the test you want. If you’re not sure which test to get, we can lend a hand in finding the right option. Just text or call us at 754-799-7833, email us at support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you. We've got your back and reply quickly.

When will my lab results be available?

Most test results will be available within 1–3 business days. Once they're ready, we'll send an email and text message to let you know. After your blood draw, just hang tight and don't worry – we'll keep you updated and in the loop! If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you.

Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you. Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at support@privatemdlabs.com. Remember to include your order number and let us know the correct information you’d like to update. Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you. There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out. Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.

Do you accept health insurance?

Only HSA & FSA is accepted. Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts. This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.

Can I cancel my order?

Yes. We get it – sometimes your needs change. As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order. If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com. You can read more about our cancellation policy here.

How can I find a lab location near me?

During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached! You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp). Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

HDL Cholesterol Test - Check Your Heart Disease Risk

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.

Long story short:

In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way.
You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy!

754-799-7833

[email protected]