Normal Range

• According to the American Heart Association (AHA), the normal range is between 40 and 60 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) of blood, but you can narrow that range based on your gender (see Resources).
  
  

Men

• A normal range for a man is between 40 and 50 mg/dL. Factors such as smoking and being overweight can lead to lower levels.
  
  

Women

• For women, the normal range is higher, between 50 and 60 mg/dL. Similar factors as those mentioned for men can lead to lower levels, but women have higher HDL levels than men due to female sex hormones.
  
  

Higher Is Better

• The AHA makes it clear that a reading above 60 mg/dL is a positive thing. Higher levels of HDL provide protection against heart disease.
  
  

The Test

• To get a clear reading, make sure you have fasted prior to the test.