Explainer
Cholesterol levels by age and sex
The healthy ranges for cholesterol are the same for every adult from age 20, with one difference between men and women for HDL. What changes with age is how common high cholesterol is, and how often you should be tested.
Healthy cholesterol levels by age
MedlinePlus, from the US National Library of Medicine, lists these healthy ranges, in mg/dL (MedlinePlus):
| Test | Age 19 and younger | Men 20 and older | Women 20 and older |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total cholesterol | Under 170 | Under 200 | Under 200 |
| LDL ("bad") cholesterol | Under 110 | Under 100 | Under 100 |
| HDL ("good") cholesterol | Over 45 | 40 or higher (60 or higher is best) | 50 or higher (60 or higher is best) |
| Non-HDL cholesterol | Under 120 | Under 130 | Under 130 |
| Triglycerides | Under 90 (ages 10 to 19) | Under 150 | Under 150 |
The triglyceride figure for ages 10 to 19 comes from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). These ranges do not go up with age: a 70-year-old and a 25-year-old share the same healthy range. Your own LDL goal can be lower than the general range, depending on your overall heart risk. See the LDL calculator and the heart risk calculator.
How common high cholesterol is, by age and sex
The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) measures cholesterol in a sample of US adults. From August 2021 to August 2023, 11.3% of adults had high total cholesterol (240 mg/dL or more) (NCHS 2024):
| Age | Men | Women | All adults |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 to 39 | 7.4% | 4.7% | 6.0% |
| 40 to 59 | 18.3% | 15.2% | 16.7% |
| 60 and older | 5.6% | 16.4% | 11.3% |
| All 20 and older | 10.6% | 11.9% | 11.3% |
High total cholesterol was most common in middle age. After 60 it was much more common in women than in men (NCHS 2024).
Low HDL cholesterol (under 40 mg/dL in this survey, for both sexes) was found in 13.8% of adults, and it was more common in men at every age (NCHS 2024):
| Age | Men | Women | All adults |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 to 39 | 25.1% | 7.6% | 16.2% |
| 40 to 59 | 20.8% | 7.0% | 13.8% |
| 60 and older | 17.9% | 5.2% | 11.2% |
| All 20 and older | 21.5% | 6.6% | 13.8% |
Over time, high total cholesterol fell from 18.3% of adults in 1999-2000 to 11.0% in 2013-2014 and has not changed much since. Low HDL fell from 22.2% in 2007-2008 to 14.2% in 2021-2023 (both age adjusted) (NCHS 2024).
How often to get tested at your age
MedlinePlus gives these general schedules for healthy people (MedlinePlus):
| Age | How often |
|---|---|
| Children and teens | First test between 9 and 11, then every 5 years. Some children start at 2 if there is a family history of high cholesterol, heart attack or stroke. |
| Adults 20 to 44 (men) or 20 to 54 (women) | Every 5 years |
| Men 45 to 65, women 55 to 65 | Every 1 to 2 years |
| Over 65 | Every year |
You may need testing more often if you have heart disease or a higher risk of it, for example a family history of early heart disease, smoking, excess weight, diabetes or high blood pressure (MedlinePlus).
Common questions
What is a normal cholesterol level for a 60-year-old?
The same as for any adult: total cholesterol under 200 mg/dL, LDL under 100, and HDL of at least 40 for men or 50 for women (MedlinePlus). Your doctor may set a lower LDL goal if your heart risk is higher.
Are cholesterol levels different for women?
Only for HDL: MedlinePlus lists 40 mg/dL or higher for men and 50 or higher for women (MedlinePlus). The other ranges are the same.
What are normal cholesterol levels for children?
For ages 19 and younger, MedlinePlus lists total cholesterol under 170 mg/dL, LDL under 110, HDL over 45 and non-HDL under 120 (MedlinePlus).
Also see the triglycerides explainer and the LDL calculator.
Sources
- MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine). Cholesterol Levels. medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/cholesterol-levels/
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. High Blood Triglycerides. Last updated April 19, 2023. www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/high-blood-triglycerides
- Carroll MD, Fryar CD, Gwira JA, Iniguez M. Total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in adults: United States, August 2021-August 2023. NCHS Data Brief, no 515. National Center for Health Statistics; November 2024. www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db515.htm
Written and maintained by the uncovermyrisk.com editorial team. We do not have a medical reviewer; every claim links to its primary source above. Last reviewed: 2026-10-28. Spotted an error? See About.