113 Cholesterol Level

What "113" Means Depends on the Test

A cholesterol panel typically reports several numbers:

• Total cholesterol — the sum of all cholesterol fractions in the blood.
• LDL cholesterol — low-density lipoprotein, sometimes called "bad" cholesterol because higher levels are associated with increased cardiovascular risk.
• HDL cholesterol — high-density lipoprotein, sometimes called "good" cholesterol because higher levels are generally associated with lower cardiovascular risk.
• Non-HDL cholesterol — total minus HDL. Captures all the more atherogenic fractions in one number.
• Triglycerides — a separate lipid measure, also reported in mg/dL.

A bare "113" without context is ambiguous. A printed lab report will identify which fraction the number refers to.

113 as Total Cholesterol

Standard adult reference ranges (US guidelines):

• Desirable: under 200 mg/dL
• Borderline high: 200–239 mg/dL
• High: 240 mg/dL and above

A total cholesterol of 113 sits well below the desirable threshold. For most adults this is unusually low. Possible reasons include genetics, very low-fat diets, certain medical conditions, or the effect of cholesterol-lowering medication. Very low total cholesterol can occasionally be linked to underlying issues that warrant evaluation. A clinician should interpret the value in the context of the rest of the panel.

113 as LDL Cholesterol

Standard adult LDL ranges (US guidelines):

• Optimal: under 100 mg/dL
• Near optimal/above optimal: 100–129 mg/dL
• Borderline high: 130–159 mg/dL
• High: 160–189 mg/dL
• Very high: 190 mg/dL and above

An LDL of 113 falls in the "near optimal/above optimal" range. Whether 113 is fine for a particular individual depends on overall cardiovascular risk. People with diabetes, prior heart disease, or other risk factors may be advised to aim lower; people with no risk factors may be told 113 is acceptable. Treatment thresholds have evolved and vary between guidelines, so the number alone is not enough.

113 as HDL Cholesterol

Standard adult HDL ranges (US guidelines):

• Low (more risk): under 40 mg/dL for men, under 50 mg/dL for women
• Better: 40 (or 50) and above
• Higher protective range: 60 mg/dL and above

An HDL of 113 is high — well above the typical "protective" threshold. Historically, very high HDL has been considered favorable, but more recent research suggests the relationship between HDL and cardiovascular risk is not strictly linear at extremes. As with very low total cholesterol, a clinician should put a high HDL in the broader clinical picture.

113 as Non-HDL Cholesterol

Non-HDL cholesterol = total cholesterol − HDL. It captures all the more atherogenic fractions (LDL, IDL, VLDL, lipoprotein(a)). Standard adult ranges:

• Optimal: under 130 mg/dL
• Above optimal: 130–159 mg/dL
• Borderline high: 160–189 mg/dL
• High: 190–219 mg/dL
• Very high: 220 mg/dL and above

A non-HDL of 113 falls in the "optimal" band. For people with diabetes or established cardiovascular disease, even lower targets are sometimes recommended.

Quick Comparison Table

This table is illustrative. Reference ranges differ slightly between laboratories, between guidelines, and between countries; some labs report results in mmol/L instead of mg/dL.

mg/dL vs mmol/L

In the United States, cholesterol is most often reported in mg/dL. In Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and most of Europe, it is reported in mmol/L. The two units are related by a constant:

• To convert cholesterol from mg/dL to mmol/L, divide by 38.67.
• To convert from mmol/L to mg/dL, multiply by 38.67.

So a cholesterol of 113 mg/dL is approximately 2.92 mmol/L. If you see 113 mmol/L on a report, that would be implausibly high — it almost certainly indicates a unit mix-up.

What Influences Your Cholesterol

• Genetics. Familial patterns can shift baseline cholesterol up or down significantly.
• Diet. Saturated fat, trans fat, and dietary cholesterol intake can raise LDL; soluble fiber and polyunsaturated fats can lower it.
• Body weight and physical activity. Higher activity levels and lower visceral adiposity tend to associate with healthier lipid panels.
• Medications. Statins, ezetimibe, PCSK9 inhibitors, and other drugs can substantially lower LDL.
• Other conditions. Thyroid disease, kidney disease, and some other illnesses can change cholesterol values; cholesterol can also rise transiently after acute illness.

Common Mistakes

• Reading total cholesterol when LDL is meant. The two numbers are very different and have different cutoffs. Always check the line label.
• Mixing mg/dL and mmol/L. They are not interchangeable.
• Treating cholesterol categories as hard thresholds. Risk is continuous; the boundaries are convenient screening points, not magic numbers.
• Ignoring the rest of the panel. Total, LDL, HDL, non-HDL, and triglycerides should be read together. A favorable LDL with a very low HDL paints a different picture than the same LDL with a high HDL.

Quick-Reference Card

• 113 mg/dL total: below typical "desirable" cap; unusually low.
• 113 mg/dL LDL: near optimal/above optimal range.
• 113 mg/dL HDL: high; usually favorable.
• 113 mg/dL non-HDL: in the optimal band.
• 113 mg/dL ≈ 2.92 mmol/L

This page is general information only and is not medical advice. Cholesterol numbers should always be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional who can put them in the context of your full medical history. See the site disclaimer. For related pages, see blood pressure 113/70, blood sugar 113, and 113 heart rate zones.