How is dyslipidemia diagnosed?

    Written by:
    Peter Woznik

    Fact-checked

    by:

    Morgan Pfiffner, James Gaylor
    Last Updated: May 16, 2025

    Dyslipidemia is diagnosed by assessing blood lipid levels; the specific criteria include total cholesterol over 240 mg/dL, LDL-C over 160 mg/dL, triglycerides over 200 mg/dL, and HDL-C under 40 mg/dL. These measurements indicate various abnormalities in lipid metabolism.

    Diagnosis of dyslipidemia is based on blood lipid levels. Dyslipidemia includes a wide range of abnormalities of lipid metabolism, and may be diagnosed by a combination of the following:

    • Total cholesterol over 240 mg/dL
    • LDL-C over 160 mg/dL
    • Triglycerides over 200 mg/dL
    • HDL-C under 40 mg/dL [1]
    How is dyslipidemia diagnosed? - Examine