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Cardiovascular

LDL cholesterol in men: heredity, medicines and the target value

According to the NVKC, LDL is a lipoprotein, a fat droplet that carries cholesterol to the tissues and organs. According to the NVKC, with too much LDL cholesterol, cholesterol is deposited on the walls of the blood vessels.

According to the NVKC, that deposit can lead to a stiff vessel wall, less blood flow and even a blocked blood vessel, with a heart attack or stroke as a possible result. Because high cholesterol causes no symptoms according to Thuisarts, a blood test is the only way to know the LDL.

Diagnostiek voor U uses a target value for LDL cholesterol below 2.6 mmol/L in people older than 18, and below 1.8 mmol/L for high-risk groups.

The route LDL Cholesterol takes through your body
  1. Liver

    Sends cholesterol out to the rest of your body.

  2. LDL, the package

    Cholesterol is fatty and does not dissolve in blood, so it travels packed. The test counts what is inside these packages.

  3. Your cells

    Take what they need to build their wall and to make hormones such as testosterone.

  4. What the cells do not take up stays in your blood

  5. Artery wall

    The surplus works its way in, builds up over the years and narrows the artery. That can end in a heart attack or a stroke.

General target below 3 mmol/l

Doctor's Assessment Included

LDL cholesterol is the cholesterol in the LDL particles, which carry cholesterol to the tissues and organs. According to the NVKC, raised concentrations make cholesterol deposit on the vessel wall, which can lead to cardiovascular disease.

  • The NVKC gives a target value for LDL cholesterol below 3.0 mmol/l; Thuisarts calls below 2.6 usually good at a high risk of cardiovascular disease and below 1.8 at a very high risk.
  • For LDL cholesterol, Unilabs uses 0 to 4.5 mmol/l, Diagnostiek voor U a target below 2.6 mmol/L above age 18, Star-SHL 0 to 2.5 mmol/l (source NHG).
  • According to Thuisarts, a high LDL cholesterol causes no symptoms.

When is this value abnormal?

Decision limits per result, in mmol/l
Result Value (mmol/l)
Below target < 3
Above target 3–5
Markedly elevated ≥ 5

There is no single "normal" LDL value: which value is desirable for you depends on your overall risk of cardiovascular disease. The limit of 3.0 mmol/l is the general target value of the NVKC. Once there is a reason to treat, the NHG guideline CVRM uses a lower target: < 2.6 mmol/l, and < 1.8 mmol/l after cardiovascular disease, up to and including age 70. For people at low to moderately raised risk, the guideline sets no target at all, and lifestyle advice is enough. Above 5.0 mmol/l the NHG advises considering familial dyslipidaemia. Discuss your result with your GP.

Source: NVKC Reference population: Dutch adults

Source: NHG Reference population: Dutch adults

Reference ranges may vary between laboratories. When you order a test, a BIG-registered doctor assesses your personal results in context. For treatment decisions, discuss your results with your GP.

LDL Cholesterol: what Dutch laboratories use

The upper limit runs from 2.5 mmol/l at Star-shl to 4.5 mmol/l at Unilabs.

Reference ranges by group, in mmol/l
Star-shl · Everyone · a limit, not a range · Source: NHG cardiovascular risk management < 2.5 mmol/l
2.5
Unilabs · Everyone 0.0–4.5 mmol/l
0 4.5
Diagnostiek voor U · Everyone · 19 years and older · a limit, not a range · target value < 2.6 mmol/L
2.6
Diagnostiek voor U · Everyone · a limit, not a range · high-risk groups < 1.8 mmol/L
1.8
0 4.95 mmol/l

Source: Star-shl

Source: Unilabs

Source: Diagnostiek voor U

Each value as the laboratory itself publishes it, retrieved in 2026.

LDL Cholesterol: what this test measures

An LDL cholesterol test measures the amount of cholesterol in the LDL particles in mmol/l; Unilabs measures it directly, and Diagnostiek voor U also calls the test ‘LDL direct’.

LDL Cholesterol: why this value matters

LDL cholesterol matters because, according to the NVKC, the doctor often decides on the basis of a raised LDL to treat someone with cholesterol-lowering medicines.

LDL Cholesterol: how the blood test works

Referral
No GP referral needed. After the order we arrange the referral through ZorgDomein, within one business day; orders after 17:00 or at the weekend start on the next business day. ZorgDomein emails a barcode, and that barcode is what the draw site needs.
The draw
A blood draw from a vein in the arm, at a partner laboratory's draw site. No home kit, no finger prick.
Which test
Lipids · €73,- · Basic Health Checkup · €104,- · Cardiovascular Health · €218,- · Metabolic Health Check · €129,-
Where
650+ draw sites run by independent laboratories across the Netherlands. Draw sites

LDL Cholesterol: how to prepare

Nothing special is needed for these tests.

  1. No need to fast

    Good to know

    Eating beforehand makes little difference to these values. You can have breakfast.

  • Water is always fine. Drink as usual beforehand, it makes the draw easier.
  • Take your usual medication, unless your own doctor told you otherwise.

LDL Cholesterol: when is testing worthwhile?

For LDL cholesterol, MedlinePlus, a US source, recommends a test every 1 to 2 years for men aged 45 to 65.

LDL Cholesterol: symptoms of a high or low value

Low Levels

According to MedlinePlus, cholesterol-lowering medicines such as statins can lower LDL cholesterol, and losing weight when overweight can help lower LDL; the sources read do not describe a low LDL without such treatment.

High Levels

According to MedlinePlus, a high LDL can run in families, as in familial hypercholesterolaemia, an inherited form of high cholesterol. According to MedlinePlus, certain medicines, including steroids, some blood pressure medicines and HIV medicines, can also raise LDL.

LDL Cholesterol: causes of a low or high value

What lowers the value

  • Cholesterol-lowering medicines, such as statins

    If lifestyle changes alone do not lower LDL enough, cholesterol-lowering medicines, including statins, may be needed.

  • Losing weight when overweight

    If someone is overweight, losing weight can help lower the amount of LDL cholesterol in the blood.

What raises the value

  • Saturated fat and cholesterol in food

    Saturated fat and cholesterol in the food you eat make your LDL level rise.

  • Overweight

    Being overweight tends to raise the LDL cholesterol level and to lower the HDL cholesterol level.

  • Inherited high cholesterol (familial hypercholesterolaemia)

    High cholesterol can run in families; familial hypercholesterolaemia is an inherited form of high blood cholesterol.

  • Certain medicines, such as steroids

    Certain medicines, including steroids, some blood pressure medicines and HIV medicines, can raise LDL.

  • Chronic kidney disease, diabetes or HIV

    Diseases such as chronic kidney disease, diabetes and HIV can cause a higher LDL.

LDL Cholesterol: lifestyle and this value

Discuss a raised LDL with your GP, and mention any medicines you take and high cholesterol in the family: according to MedlinePlus, certain medicines can raise LDL, and high cholesterol can run in families.

LDL Cholesterol: frequently asked questions

Is high LDL cholesterol hereditary?

According to MedlinePlus, a high LDL cholesterol can run in families: genes partly determine how much cholesterol the body makes, and familial hypercholesterolaemia is an inherited form.

LDL Cholesterol: sources

  1. Nederlandse Vereniging voor Klinische Chemie en Laboratoriumgeneeskunde. Alles over testen. Over AFP: "De referentiewaarden kunnen verschillen tussen laboratoria, afhankelijk van de methode. Ga daarom uitsluitend af op de referentiewaarden van het laboratorium dat het onderzoek heeft uitgevoerd en interpreteer nooit AFP-uitslagen van verschillende laboratoria door elkaar." Geraadpleegd 14 juli 2026. (retrieved 2026) allesovertesten.nl
  2. Nederlands Huisartsen Genootschap. NHG-Standaard Cardiovasculair risicomanagement. Praktische handleiding, 2024. Geraadpleegd 14 juli 2026. (retrieved 2026) richtlijnen.nhg.org
  3. Star-shl, Labbepalingen (referentiewaarden per bepaling), star-shl.nl, geraadpleegd 2026-10-01 (retrieved 2026) star-shl.nl
  4. Unilabs, Bepalingenklapper (referentiewaarden per bepaling), bepalingenklapper.nl, geraadpleegd 2026-10-01 (retrieved 2026) bepalingenklapper.nl
  5. Diagnostiek voor U, eLabgids (Referentiewaarden DvU), diagnostiek.getincontrol.eu, geraadpleegd 2026-10-01 (retrieved 2026) diagnostiek.getincontrol.eu
  6. MedlinePlus, LDL: The "Bad" Cholesterol, medlineplus.gov, geraadpleegd 2026-10-17 (retrieved 2026) medlineplus.gov

Test Products

This marker is included in the following test panels.

Medical reviewer

Medical standards

Dr. Naimi oversees the medical standards behind our content and assessments.

Medical policy
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LDL Cholesterol

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