Helvy
Early access is openJoin the list
Metabolic
In the UK, the standard clinical (NHS) reference range for Cholesterol (Total, HDL, LDL & ApoB) is Total: below 5 mmol/L, LDL: below 3 mmol/L, with ApoB: below 1.0 g/L, LDL: below 2.6 mmol/L, HDL: above 1.2 mmol/L considered the performance-optimised range. A result within these ranges suggests typical status; only a qualified clinician can interpret an individual reading.
A cholesterol panel measures the fats circulating in your blood — total cholesterol, HDL ('good' cholesterol), LDL ('bad' cholesterol), triglycerides, and increasingly ApoB, the protein that carries LDL particles into artery walls. Together, these markers paint the most accurate picture of your cardiovascular risk and metabolic health available from a blood test.
Optimal range · UK
ApoB: below 1.0 g/L, LDL: below 2.6 mmol/L, HDL: above 1.2 mmol/L
Performance-optimised band · clinical (NHS) range Total: below 5 mmol/L, LDL: below 3 mmol/L
Clinical (NHS)
Total: below 5 mmol/L, LDL: below 3 mmol/L
Performance
ApoB: below 1.0 g/L, LDL: below 2.6 mmol/L, HDL: above 1.2 mmol/L
Reference ranges for Cholesterol, not a personal result. Any individual reading should be interpreted by a qualified clinician.
Optimal ranges
| Range | Value |
|---|---|
| Clinical (NHS) reference range | Total: below 5 mmol/L, LDL: below 3 mmol/L |
| Performance-optimised range | ApoB: below 1.0 g/L, LDL: below 2.6 mmol/L, HDL: above 1.2 mmol/L |
The clinical range defines what is considered medically “normal” — broad enough to cover 95% of the population. The performance range reflects where research and clinical experience suggest most people feel and function at their best. A result in either range suggests typical status and is not a diagnosis; any individual reading should be interpreted by a qualified clinician.
Why it matters
Heart and circulatory disease is the UK's second biggest killer, responsible for around 160,000 deaths each year according to the British Heart Foundation. What most people don't realise is that cardiovascular damage accumulates silently over decades — by the time symptoms appear, significant plaque build-up has already occurred. For men in their 30s and 40s, a lipid panel is less about diagnosing disease today and more about understanding your trajectory. Modern cardiology has shifted focus from total cholesterol to ApoB and non-HDL cholesterol as stronger predictors of risk. An ApoB level below 1.0 g/L is considered optimal by the European Society of Cardiology, yet most standard NHS health checks don't test it.
Symptoms
Low / Deficiency
High / Excess
Dietary sources
Supplementation
Omega-3 fish oil (2-4g EPA+DHA daily) is the most evidence-based supplement for improving triglycerides and HDL. Plant sterols and stanols (2g/day) can reduce LDL by 7-10% — Benecol and similar products deliver this dose. Red yeast rice contains a natural statin (monacolin K) but should only be used under medical supervision due to variable potency. Psyllium husk (5-10g/day) adds soluble fibre that binds bile acids, lowering LDL. Niacin (vitamin B3) was once widely used but has fallen out of favour due to side effects. Lifestyle interventions — reducing refined carbohydrates, increasing exercise, and maintaining healthy body composition — remain the foundation of lipid management.
Testing
Cholesterol is measured from a blood sample. With Helvy, that means a finger-prick kit taken at home and posted to a UKAS-accredited UK laboratory, with results in around 5 days, reviewed by a qualified clinician. Your result is reported against both the clinical range (Total: below 5 mmol/L, LDL: below 3 mmol/L) and the performance-optimal range (ApoB: below 1.0 g/L, LDL: below 2.6 mmol/L, HDL: above 1.2 mmol/L), so you can see not just whether you are “normal” but whether you are optimal. If you make a change, retest after 8-12 weeks to confirm it worked.
Research
Apolipoprotein B and cardiovascular disease: biomarker and potential therapeutic target
Sniderman AD, Thanassoulis G, Glavinovic T, et al.
The Lancet (2019)
DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(19)32519-0Test for this
The everyday baseline, 17 biomarkers covering thyroid (TSH and Free T4), cortisol, vitamin D, B12, magnesium, the full cholesterol panel, inflammation (CRP), and core liver and kidney markers.
Advanced cardiovascular profile, full lipid panel, ApoB, Lp(a), hs-CRP, HbA1c, and 4 more markers.
A deep look at thyroid function (TSH, Free T4 and Free T3) alongside your liver, kidney and full cholesterol markers, 16 in total.
Related biomarkers
Related guides
This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Your data suggests areas for optimisation, but any concerns should be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional. If your results flag values outside safe ranges, we recommend consulting your GP.
Your next step