Non-HDL cholesterol
What it measures, and what changes the number.
Non-HDL cholesterol is the cholesterol carried in all lipoprotein particles other than HDL. It is not measured directly: the lab calculates it by subtracting HDL cholesterol from total cholesterol, so it captures LDL, VLDL, remnant particles and lipoprotein(a) in a single figure.
It appears on a standard lipid panel next to total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Apolipoprotein B is sometimes ordered with it because both describe the atherogenic particles in circulation from slightly different angles.
Because it is derived from total and HDL cholesterol, which change little after a meal, it is often considered usable from non-fasting samples, although lab practice varies. Any error in either underlying measurement carries into the result. Reports may list it as Colesterol no HDL or NON HDL CHOLESTEROL.
Often read alongside: Total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, Triglycerides, Apolipoprotein B