LDL/HDL Ratio
The LDL to HDL ratio compares atherogenic LDL directly with protective HDL and serves as a summary lipid risk measure. Lower values reflect a more favorable balance, with targets generally below 2.0 to 2.5. Lifestyle changes that reduce LDL or raise HDL, along with lipid-lowering medications, improve this ratio and tend to reduce cardiovascular events.
Optimal range: who says what
No institution or named practitioner we track states an optimal target for LDL/HDL Ratio. How we verify ranges.
- No stated targetNo separate optimal establishedLDL-C, non-HDL cholesterol and ApoB carry the guideline positions
- Lab reference intervalNo established lab reference interval (calculated ratio)What a lab report flags against. A lab interval is not an optimal target.
3 providers include this
Lipid Panel / Cardiovascular Health
Why LDL/HDL Ratio matters
Compares 'bad' cholesterol (LDL) to 'good' cholesterol (HDL). A lower ratio indicates better cardiovascular health. Optimal is below 2.0; above 5.0 suggests significantly elevated heart disease risk.
Reading a LDL/HDL Ratio result
The ratio is LDL cholesterol divided by HDL cholesterol. A higher LDL or a lower HDL raises it, and the same ratio can come from very different pairs, so read the inputs. MedlinePlus general targets: LDL below 100 mg/dL for moderate-risk adults (lower at higher risk) and HDL of 60 mg/dL or higher.
What pushes it up
- A diet high in saturated fat
- Smoking, which lowers HDL
- Overweight or obesity and low physical activity
- Diabetes, kidney disease or an underactive thyroid
- Medicines that lower HDL: beta-blockers, anabolic steroids including testosterone, progestins, benzodiazepines
- Familial hypercholesterolemia and other inherited lipid disorders
What brings it down
- Stopping smoking
- Regular aerobic exercise
- Losing weight
- Statins, which lower LDL and can raise HDL
What to check next
- LDL and HDL individually
- ApoB, which ARUP recommends to improve risk prediction and to help judge therapy
- Blood glucose, kidney function and thyroid tests when lipids are abnormal (MedlinePlus)
Sources: MedlinePlus: High blood cholesterol levels; MedlinePlus: HDL, the good cholesterol; ARUP Consult: ASCVD risk assessment. Checked against these sources 2026-09-23. General information, not medical advice; your lab's reference interval and your clinician's reading take precedence.
Which Providers Test LDL/HDL Ratio?
Cheapest: Oura Health Panels at $99/year. Most comprehensive: Empirical Health, 100+ biomarkers for $190/year.
3 panels that include it, cheapest first
| Provider | Annual Cost | Total Biomarkers | $/Biomarker |
|---|---|---|---|
| $99 | 50 | $1.98 | |
| $190 | 100+ | $1.90 | |
 Superpower | $349 | 100+ | $3.49 |
$/Biomarker is annual cost divided by the panel's advertised biomarker count, not the price of this one test. We track 23 blood test providers (32 plans); 21 of those plans are itemized marker by marker. Compare all of them.
18 itemized panels do not include LDL/HDL Ratio
WHOOP Advanced Labs · Labcorp OnDemand · Life Extension Elite · Everlywell · Mito Health · InsideTracker · Function Health · Marek Health Base · Marek Health Comprehensive · Marek Health Complete · Marek Health Executive · Blueprint · SiPhox Health · Hims Labs · Healthspan · Vitality Blueprint Standard · Vitality Blueprint Elite · Ultrahuman Blood Vision Annual
11 providers not itemized in our matrix
We have not itemized these marker by marker (some sell tests one at a time), so this page cannot say whether they offer LDL/HDL Ratio. Check with them directly.
Life Extension Standard · Quest Health · Ultrahuman Blood Vision · Lifeforce · Hundred Health · Personalabs · Walk-In Lab · HealthLabs · WHOOP Specialized Panels · Marek Health Essential · Vitality Blueprint Upload
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the optimal range for LDL/HDL Ratio?
No separate optimal established: LDL-C, non-HDL cholesterol and ApoB carry the guideline positions. No established lab reference interval (calculated ratio).
Which blood test providers include LDL/HDL Ratio?
3 of the 21 blood testing panels we itemize marker by marker include LDL/HDL Ratio in their panels. This biomarker has limited availability.
Related: YouBoost rates lifestyle and supplement interventions by evidence; HRV Zone tracks recovery trends.
Medical Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider about your specific health needs.
Last reviewed Sep 23, 2026 · First published Nov 30, 2025