Question:
What is considered normal?

I just got a call from the lab in regards to blood work that was done 07-19. Everything was okay except for my cholesterol was at 220 and my triglyceride's were at 485. I asked the lab person what was normal and they wouldn't answer me. Thank you....    — Peri B. (posted on July 23, 1999)

July 23, 1999
I am not sure about triglycerides; but what I have found on the internet about cholesterol is: Desirable is less than 200; Boarder Lin is between 200-239; and High is 240 and over. I hope this helps
   — sue ann A.

July 23, 1999
Although everyone is different in a practical sense, the common rule of thumb is 200/185. The cholesterol should be below 200 and triglycerides below 185. It's more important to get the triglycerides down than it is the cholesterol becasue it's what's considered "bad cholesterol". Remember when you're losing that the good cholesterol (HDL) rises as your bad cholesterol (LDL) decreases although HDL is slower. This may show your cholesterol levels to actually go up but nothing to panic as long as the LDLs are coming down. (I hope I got my HDLs and LDLs right - sometimes I get them confused.)
   — Vicki H.