Public record
Total cholesterol: the public record
Each table is computed from the named federal dataset as of its data date; the method is under each one.
Population data
How total cholesterol is distributed in US adults
In the 2021 to 2023 US national health survey, the median total cholesterol was 178 mg/dL in men aged 20 to 39 and 176 mg/dL in women aged 20 to 39. Half of people in each group fall below the median; the row notes give the range covering the middle 90%.
| Measure | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Men 20 to 39, median | 178 mg/dL | middle 90% of people: 123 to 248; 598 people tested |
| Men 40 to 59, median | 195 mg/dL | middle 90% of people: 128 to 267; 706 people tested |
| Men 60 and over, median | 171 mg/dL | middle 90% of people: 113 to 243; 1,177 people tested |
| Women 20 to 39, median | 176 mg/dL | middle 90% of people: 127 to 239; 785 people tested |
| Women 40 to 59, median | 194 mg/dL | middle 90% of people: 135 to 270; 892 people tested |
| Women 60 and over, median | 194 mg/dL | middle 90% of people: 131 to 270; 1,340 people tested |
How this was calculated
Computed survey-weighted 5th, 50th and 95th percentiles from the CDC public file by sex and age band, using the sample weight WTPH2YR. Groups with fewer than 50 people are left out.
US adults aged 20 and over who gave a sample in NHANES 2021 to 2023, CDC variable LBXTC (Total Cholesterol (mg/dL))
These are population distributions, not clinical reference ranges or treatment targets. They include people with and without health conditions and people on medication. Laboratories differ in method and units.
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