113 Cholesterol: What 113 mg/dL Means for LDL, HDL and Total

113 mg/dL at a Glance

Reference ranges vary slightly between labs and countries. Many countries report cholesterol in mmol/L instead of mg/dL (see the conversion below).

LDL Cholesterol of 113 (Low-Density Lipoprotein)

In simple terms: an LDL of 113 mg/dL is slightly higher than ideal but not high. LDL is the cholesterol that can build up in artery walls, so lower is generally better.

Whether 113 is “good enough” depends on your overall cardiovascular risk:

• Healthy adult with low risk: 113 mg/dL is usually acceptable; diet and exercise can bring it under 100.
• Diabetes, several risk factors, or a high 10-year risk score: doctors often aim for a lower LDL, and may discuss medication.
• Previous heart attack, stroke or known artery disease: guidelines generally aim for well below 100 – often below 70 mg/dL (1.8 mmol/L), and European guidance goes as low as below 55 mg/dL (1.4 mmol/L) for very high risk.

HDL Cholesterol of 113

An HDL of 113 mg/dL is very high. HDL helps carry cholesterol away from the arteries, and levels of 60 mg/dL or more are traditionally considered protective; below 40 (men) or 50 (women) is considered low.

Very high HDL is often due to genetics, regular exercise or moderate alcohol intake, and is usually not a problem. However, research suggests that extremely high HDL (roughly above 80–100 mg/dL) does not give extra protection, and some studies have linked very high levels to higher risk. If your HDL is 113, it is not a reason to worry, but your doctor should look at it together with your LDL, triglycerides and other risk factors rather than treating it as automatically protective.

Total Cholesterol of 113

Total cholesterol under 200 mg/dL is called desirable, so 113 mg/dL is well within that range and low for an adult. Common reasons include genetics, a plant-based or low-fat diet, or cholesterol-lowering medicine such as statins. Occasionally, very low cholesterol can reflect an overactive thyroid, liver disease, malabsorption or malnutrition, so if your result is unexpectedly low, mention it to your doctor.

For children and teens, total cholesterol below 170 mg/dL is considered acceptable, so 113 is in the normal range.

Non-HDL Cholesterol and Triglycerides of 113

Non-HDL cholesterol is total cholesterol minus HDL. It includes LDL and other particles that can build up in arteries. Under 130 mg/dL is the usual target, so a non-HDL of 113 is optimal.

Triglycerides under 150 mg/dL are normal, so 113 mg/dL is healthy. (Triglycerides convert to mmol/L differently: 113 mg/dL ÷ 88.57 ≈ 1.28 mmol/L.)

113 mg/dL to mmol/L

For cholesterol (total, LDL, HDL, non-HDL), divide mg/dL by 38.67: 113 mg/dL ≈ 2.92 mmol/L. To go the other way, multiply mmol/L by 38.67.

If you see “113” on a report that uses mmol/L, it is almost certainly a unit mix-up or a different test, because cholesterol values in mmol/L are typically single digits.

How to Lower an LDL of 113

• Cut saturated and trans fats: fatty meats, butter, full-fat cheese, pastries and fried foods.
• Eat more soluble fiber: oats, barley, beans, lentils, apples and citrus.
• Choose unsaturated fats: olive oil, nuts, seeds and oily fish.
• Be active: at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week.
• Lose excess weight and don’t smoke.

If your risk is high, your doctor may also recommend medication such as a statin. Do not start or stop cholesterol medicines without medical advice.

Frequently Asked Questions