What's this test for?

This test is ideal if you're concerned about your heart health or want to know your risk for coronary artery disease. It's also useful if you have a family history of high cholesterol, are overweight, or simply haven't checked your cholesterol in a while. Many people with high cholesterol have no symptoms at all, so testing is the only way to know where you stand.

What's included in this test?

This test measures your total cholesterol, which is the combined amount of HDL, LDL, and other lipid particles circulating in your blood. Cholesterol level matters because too much of it can build up in your arteries over time, raising your risk for heart attack and stroke.

What happens after I get my results?

Your results will show up in your account with your total cholesterol value and an explanation of what's considered a normal range. If your number is elevated, simple next steps like cutting back on saturated fat, adding more fiber, and increasing physical activity can help bring it down, and retesting in a few months lets you see if changes are working. You can download a standard lab report directly from your account, and the trends feature lets you track your cholesterol over time to spot patterns early.

When will I get my results?

Results are typically ready within about 7 days of your blood draw. Once ready, they'll be posted directly to your online account where you can view and download them anytime.

Who should consider this test?

Anyone over 20 who hasn't had a baseline cholesterol check, adults with a family history of heart disease, and people who are overweight, inactive, or eat a lot of processed food should consider this test. It's also smart for anyone already managing cholesterol to check how well lifestyle changes are working.

What symptoms indicate I may need this test?

High cholesterol usually doesn't cause any noticeable symptoms, which is exactly why testing matters. Some people may notice yellowish fatty deposits around the eyes or joints, but most find out only through a blood test or after a related event like chest pain. If you have risk factors like a poor diet, low activity level, or family history, that's often reason enough to test.

How can I naturally support healthy cholesterol levels?

Eating more soluble fiber from foods like oats, beans, and fruit can help lower cholesterol naturally. Swapping saturated fats for healthier options like olive oil, nuts, and fatty fish also makes a difference, along with regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight. Cutting back on smoking and alcohol can help too, since both can negatively affect your cholesterol balance.

What does high total cholesterol mean?

A high total cholesterol number means there's more fat circulating in your blood than is ideal, which over time can lead to plaque buildup in your artery walls. This raises your risk for heart disease and stroke, especially if other risk factors like high blood pressure or smoking are also present. The good news is that diet and lifestyle changes can often bring levels back down within a few months.

What causes high cholesterol?

High cholesterol is often caused by eating too many saturated and trans fats, being inactive, carrying extra weight, or smoking. Genetics also play a big role, so some people have high cholesterol even with a healthy lifestyle. Certain health conditions, like an underactive thyroid, can raise cholesterol too.

How often should I retest my cholesterol?

If your results are within a healthy range, retesting every 4-6 years is usually enough for most adults. If your levels are borderline or high, or you've made lifestyle changes, retesting every 3-6 months helps you track progress. People with risk factors like family history or diabetes may benefit from more frequent checks.

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.

Total Cholesterol Test - Heart Disease Risk Check

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]