BloodTestEasy

Cholesterol 316 mg/dL

= 8.18 mmol/L in SI units

Very high

Contact your doctor promptly to discuss this result.

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  • Markedly low
  • Low
  • Desirable
  • Borderline high
  • High
  • Very high
  • Extremely high
Your band
Very high · 3–4 mg/dL
Distance from typical range
116 mg/dL above 200
SI units
316 mg/dL = 8.18 mmol/L

What 316 mg/dL means

A total cholesterol of 316 mg/dL is very high — well above the 240 mg/dL line for high cholesterol, at a level often driven by genetics or another medical condition.

Totals of 300 mg/dL and above are uncommon and usually mean more than diet is involved. A key possibility is familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), an inherited condition that keeps cholesterol very high from birth and substantially raises the risk of early heart disease — but one that responds well to treatment once found. Severe hypothyroidism, kidney disease, and certain liver conditions can also push cholesterol this high. This is not a same-day emergency, but it should not wait months: prompt evaluation and treatment make a real difference, and if FH is confirmed, close relatives should be tested too.

The high-side cutoffs (desirable below 200 mg/dL, borderline high 200–239, high 240 and above) follow the US National Cholesterol Education Program (ATP III) categories most American labs print, and are the same for men and women. No US guideline defines an official "too low" line for total cholesterol, so the low-end boundaries here (low below 120 mg/dL, markedly low below 80 mg/dL) follow common clinical usage rather than a formal cutoff. This scale runs from 45 to 600 mg/dL; the rare results outside it call for the same response as the nearest extreme band.

Common causes

  • Familial hypercholesterolemia (inherited very high cholesterol)
  • Severe underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
  • Nephrotic syndrome (a kidney condition that leaks protein into urine)
  • Cholestatic liver disease (blocked or slowed bile flow)
  • Combinations of genetic tendency with diet, weight, and inactivity
  • Certain medications, including corticosteroids and some immunosuppressants
  • Pregnancy can raise cholesterol, though rarely alone to this degree

Symptoms that can go with it

  • Usually none — even very high cholesterol is typically silent
  • Small yellowish bumps on tendons, especially the Achilles or knuckles (tendon xanthomas)
  • Yellowish patches on or around the eyelids (xanthelasma)
  • A pale gray or white ring around the colored part of the eye at a young age (corneal arcus)

Sensible next steps

  1. Contact your clinician promptly — aim to be seen within the next week or two rather than at your next annual visit
  2. Ask directly whether familial hypercholesterolemia could explain this result, especially if relatives had early heart disease or very high cholesterol
  3. Expect tests for thyroid, kidney, and liver function alongside a full fasting lipid panel
  4. If FH is diagnosed, ask about cholesterol testing for your parents, siblings, and children
  5. Discuss treatment with your clinician — at this level, medication is usually recommended along with lifestyle changes

Frequently asked questions

Is 316 mg/dL a normal total cholesterol level?

No — 316 mg/dL is very high. Levels of 300 mg/dL and above often involve genetics (such as familial hypercholesterolemia) or another condition like severe hypothyroidism. Arrange a prompt appointment with your clinician for evaluation and treatment.

What total cholesterol level is considered dangerous?

A level like yours — 300 mg/dL or above — is not an emergency today, but it is high enough that clinicians take it seriously and look for causes such as familial hypercholesterolemia. Untreated levels in this range substantially raise the risk of early heart attack, so prompt evaluation and treatment matter.

Do I need to fast before a cholesterol test?

Often not anymore. Total cholesterol and HDL barely change after eating, so many clinicians now accept nonfasting lipid panels for screening. Fasting (typically 9–12 hours, water allowed) mainly matters when triglycerides or a calculated LDL need to be precise. If your result was borderline or unexpected, your clinician may repeat it fasting — follow the instructions your lab or clinician gives you.

Can I lower my cholesterol with diet and exercise alone?

At levels of 300 mg/dL and above, diet and exercise alone are rarely sufficient, because levels this high are usually driven by genetics or another medical condition rather than lifestyle. Medication is typically recommended — discuss options promptly with your clinician.

Is a total cholesterol of 316 mg/dL too low?

There is no official "too low" cutoff for total cholesterol, and guidelines focus on levels that are too high. Values under about 120 mg/dL are uncommon and occasionally reflect an underlying issue such as an overactive thyroid, liver disease, or poor nutrient absorption — something your clinician can check with simple tests if there is any concern.

Does high cholesterol cause any symptoms?

Almost never — that is why it is called a silent risk factor. You cannot feel high cholesterol; the first "symptom" of years of untreated high cholesterol can be a heart attack or stroke. The rare exceptions are visible signs at very high, usually inherited levels: yellowish bumps on tendons, patches on the eyelids, or a gray ring around the iris at a young age. A blood test is the only reliable way to know your level.

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Sources

Educational information, not medical advice. Reference ranges vary between labs — always compare with the range printed on your own report and discuss results with your doctor. Full disclaimer