Cholesterol, Total
The sum of all cholesterol in your blood, and a long-standing first marker for cardiovascular risk.
Consider this test if:
- Setting a cardiovascular baseline or doing a routine lipid check
- A family history of high cholesterol, early heart disease, or stroke
- Tracking whether diet, exercise, or a statin is moving your numbers
- Following up known hypothyroidism, liver, or kidney disease that can raise lipids
- Wanting a quick screen before deciding on a fuller lipid breakdown
- HSA/FSA eligible
- Typical results in 1 day · Reviewed by a real clinician
- Drawn at a CLIA/CAP-accredited lab near you ·
Pre-test considerations
Fasting for 8 to 12 hours is the standard preparation for lipid testing, though total cholesterol itself varies little with food. Avoid alcohol the night before, and keep diet and activity typical in the days prior so the result reflects your usual state. If you take a statin or other lipid medication, test under consistent conditions for comparable tracking.
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What this test is for
Total cholesterol measures all the cholesterol carried across your lipoprotein particles, combining the atherogenic fractions (LDL and VLDL) with the protective HDL fraction into a single number. It is a fast, inexpensive screening marker for cardiovascular risk, and elevated levels are linked to atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease, often driven by genetics, diet, hypothyroidism, nephrotic syndrome, or liver disease. Because it pools the good and the bad, total cholesterol is a blunt instrument: a normal number can hide a low HDL or a high LDL, so it is most useful read alongside HDL, LDL, and triglycerides.
This test reports the total only. The separate HDL Cholesterol test isolates the protective fraction, and the LDL Cholesterol, Direct test measures the atherogenic fraction that drives plaque, which is where treatment decisions usually land.
What to expect
- 1 Book instantly
Click, book, done. Choose a convenient lab location near you. Transparent, up-front pricing.
- 2 Quick lab visit
Testing to fit your busy schedule, usually 15 minutes or less. Walk-in and appointments available.
- 3 Typical results in 1 day
Your results post straight to your dashboard as soon as the lab completes them.
- 4 Expert guidance
Included with Mito membership. A clinician reviews your results and your personalized action plan follows, with clear next steps.
Everything your health needs,
in one membership
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Every test at our cost
Members pay our cost on every test, with lab fees passed straight through. The full receipt is itemized, never padded.
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Continuous tracking, all in one place
Upload past labs and watch your trends over time. Every marker and visit lives in one longitudinal record, so all your care stays together.
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Year-round clinician support
Text anytime and get clinician-reviewed answers. When you want to go deeper, 1:1 consultations are available at affordable rates.
All for $9/month
Order any test or consult without joining. For $9/month, members unlock member prices, trend tracking, and year-round clinician guidance.
Mito Membership
$9 /mo
cancel anytime
Without membership
$0
pay as you go
At-cost pricing on labs, scans, and more
Priority turnaround on your results
On-demand clinician consults when you need guidance
Personalized action plans across supplements, exercise, nutrition, and sleep
AI health coaching to help you act on your results
Year-round medical support, with in-chat clinician escalation
All your health records in one personal vault, with trends and biological age tracking
Early access to new diagnostics and product releases
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Frequently asked questions
View all FAQsHow does pricing work?
Every test shows the member price next to the standard non-member price, so you can see what membership saves you. The member price is our cost — covering the lab and what it takes to run the service — never a profit on the test itself; Mito makes its money on the $9 membership, not on marking up your tests. Membership is $9/mo, and you still pay the lab’s order fee. Prices are itemized before you pay, with no hidden fees.
Where do I get tested?
Choose a partner lab (Quest, Labcorp, or BioReference) at checkout. If your cart spans multiple tests, we consolidate the whole order onto a single lab so you only make one visit.
Is this eligible for HSA/FSA?
Yes. This test is HSA/FSA eligible, and you can pay with your HSA/FSA card at checkout.
When will I get my results?
Your results post to your dashboard once your lab completes them, then a clinician reviews them and your full analysis and personalized action plan (with clear next steps) follow. Turnaround varies by test: specialty assays and at-home kits take longer, and each test shows its expected turnaround before you buy.
Do I need a doctor’s order?
No. Mito provides the lab order for you, so you can book and get tested without a separate doctor visit.
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