VLDL (very-low-density lipoprotein) is a particle made by the liver that mainly carries triglycerides to the body's tissues; the VLDL cholesterol figure on a lab report is usually estimated from your triglycerides rather than measured.
Also called: VLDL, VLDL-C, very-low-density lipoprotein.
General information, not medical advice
Ranges and goals vary with your overall heart risk and between labs. Go through your own results with your doctor or another qualified health professional.
What it measures
VLDL cholesterol is the cholesterol carried in VLDL particles. As VLDL particles deliver their triglycerides, they shrink into remnants and then LDL. Like LDL, they carry one ApoB each and can contribute to plaque, which is why VLDL is counted in non-HDL cholesterol.
Most labs don't measure VLDL directly. They estimate it as triglycerides ÷ 5 in mg/dL (about triglycerides ÷ 2.2 in mmol/L). A triglyceride level of 150 mg/dL gives a VLDL of about 30 mg/dL. The estimate stops working when triglycerides are very high, and it's the same shortcut the Friedewald LDL formula uses.
Normal range
| VLDL cholesterol | mg/dL | mmol/L |
|---|---|---|
| Healthy (MedlinePlus) | Under 30 | Under 0.78 |
| Higher than recommended | 30 and above | 0.78 and above |
MedlinePlus says a VLDL above 30 mg/dL puts you at higher risk of heart disease and stroke. UK labs rarely report VLDL, and neither the NHS nor NICE gives a separate range: in the UK, look at your triglycerides and non-HDL cholesterol instead. The 2026 ACC/AHA guideline doesn't set a VLDL goal either.
What raises and lowers it
- Raises it: anything that raises triglycerides, such as excess calories and sugar, alcohol, excess weight and poorly controlled diabetes.
- Lowers it: lowering your triglycerides through weight loss, more activity, swapping to healthier fats and cutting sugar and alcohol. Some people also need medicine.
Deeper reading
Related terms
- ApoB
- HDL cholesterol
- LDL cholesterol
- Lipoprotein(a)
- Non-HDL cholesterol
- PREVENT risk calculator
- Triglycerides
- All glossary terms
Frequently asked questions
How is VLDL cholesterol calculated?
Usually as triglycerides divided by 5 in mg/dL, or about triglycerides divided by 2.2 in mmol/L. A triglyceride result of 150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L) gives a VLDL of about 30 mg/dL (0.78 mmol/L). The estimate isn't reliable when triglycerides are very high.
What is a normal VLDL level?
MedlinePlus says VLDL cholesterol should be less than 30 mg/dL (about 0.78 mmol/L). There's no separate NHS range; UK reports focus on triglycerides and non-HDL cholesterol.
Is VLDL bad cholesterol?
Yes, VLDL is sometimes called a bad cholesterol alongside LDL, because VLDL particles and their remnants can contribute to plaque. Their cholesterol is counted in your non-HDL result.
Sources
- MedlinePlus: VLDL cholesterol
- Blumenthal RS, Morris PB, et al. 2026 ACC/AHA Guideline on the Management of Dyslipidemia. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2026;87(19). Also in Circulation, doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001423.
- HEART UK: Understanding your cholesterol test results
Track your numbers over time
Heart Tracker logs every cholesterol test in mg/dL or mmol/L and charts your total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides over time, next to what you were eating. Free on iPhone, no account needed.
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