What's this test for?

This test is ideal if you're concerned about your heart health or want to know how your lifestyle habits are affecting your cardiovascular risk. It's also useful if you have risk factors like obesity, smoking, stress, or diabetes, since these can lower your HDL (the "good" cholesterol) and raise your risk for heart disease. Many people order this test as part of routine heart health monitoring, even without symptoms.

What happens after I get my results?

Your HDL result will appear in your account along with the normal range so you can see exactly where you stand. If your level is low, simple next steps like adding regular exercise, cutting back on smoking, and moderating alcohol intake can help raise it over time. You can download a standard lab report straight from your account, and the trends feature lets you track your HDL over multiple tests to see if your changes are working.

Who should consider this test?

Anyone who wants a clearer picture of their heart disease risk should consider this test, especially people who are overweight, under chronic stress, smoke cigarettes, or have diabetes. It's also a smart choice for those who've recently started exercising more or changed their diet and want to see if it's making a difference. People with a family history of heart disease often check this regularly too.

What symptoms indicate I may need this test?

Low HDL usually doesn't cause noticeable symptoms on its own, which is exactly why testing matters. If you're dealing with unexplained fatigue, weight gain, high blood pressure, or you know you have poor eating habits or a sedentary lifestyle, it's worth checking your HDL level. These lifestyle patterns are strongly linked to lower HDL and higher cardiovascular risk.

How can I naturally raise my HDL cholesterol?

Regular aerobic exercise, like brisk walking or cycling several times a week, is one of the most effective ways to raise HDL naturally. Moderate alcohol consumption has also been linked to higher HDL, though this isn't a recommendation to start drinking if you don't already. Quitting smoking, losing excess weight, and eating healthy fats like olive oil and fatty fish can also help boost your levels.

When will I get my results?

Results are typically ready within about 7 days of your blood draw. Once processed, they'll be uploaded directly to your account where you can view and download them at your convenience. You'll be able to see your HDL number alongside the reference range to understand exactly what it means.

What does high HDL cholesterol mean?

A high HDL level is generally a good sign, since HDL helps remove other forms of cholesterol from your bloodstream and is linked to lower cardiovascular risk. It's often associated with regular exercise, a healthy diet, and moderate alcohol use. There's no immediate action needed if your HDL is high, other than continuing the habits that got you there.

What does low HDL cholesterol mean?

Low HDL means you have less of the "good" cholesterol that helps protect your heart, which raises your risk for cardiovascular disease. This is commonly linked to obesity, smoking, chronic stress, and diabetes. If your HDL comes back low, focusing on regular exercise, quitting smoking, and improving your diet are practical first steps.

What causes low HDL cholesterol?

Low HDL can be caused by a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, and high stress levels. Certain diets high in refined carbs and unhealthy fats can also lower HDL over time. Some of these factors are within your control through lifestyle changes, which makes retesting valuable to track progress.

How often should I retest my HDL cholesterol?

If your HDL is in a healthy range, checking it once a year alongside a routine cholesterol panel is usually enough. If you're actively making lifestyle changes to improve a low result, retesting every 3 to 6 months can help you see if those changes are working. Use the trends feature in your account to compare results over time.

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

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