Total Cholesterol: Men vs Women
How do metric values differ between men and women? Explore sex-based differences in health benchmarks.
- Group A has no percentile data
- Group B has no percentile data
💡 Key Insight
Women have slightly higher total cholesterol values (3.5% higher than Men).
Percentile Comparison
| Percentile | Men | Women | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5th | 106 mg/dL | 112 mg/dL | +5.7% |
| 25th | 145 mg/dL | 151 mg/dL | +4.1% |
| 50th | 172 mg/dL | 178 mg/dL | +3.5% |
| 75th | 199 mg/dL | 205 mg/dL | +3.0% |
| 95th | 238 mg/dL | 244 mg/dL | +2.5% |
| Mean | 172 mg/dL | 178 mg/dL | +3.5% |
Visual Comparison
🔬 Cholesterol & Cardiovascular Risk
Total cholesterol was the original cardiovascular risk marker, but modern understanding emphasizes the LDL/HDL balance and other factors. The relationship between dietary cholesterol and blood cholesterol is more nuanced than previously thought.
Key Research Findings
- LDL particle number may predict risk better than LDL concentration
- HDL functionality (not just level) affects cardiovascular protection
- Triglyceride/HDL ratio is an emerging risk marker
- Statin therapy decisions now incorporate 10-year ASCVD risk scores
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Why is total cholesterol similar between Men and Women?
Cholesterol levels are influenced by diet, genetics, hormones, and age. Understanding demographic variations helps personalize cardiovascular risk assessment.
Source: AHAHow should I interpret my total cholesterol compared to these benchmarks?
Find your appropriate demographic group and percentile range. Being in the 25th-75th percentile (middle 50%) is typical. Percentiles below 5th or above 95th may warrant discussion with a healthcare provider, though clinical context is essential—a single measurement rarely tells the whole story.
Source: Clinical GuidelinesHow reliable is this comparison data?
This data comes from the CDC's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a continuously conducted survey that uses rigorous sampling methodology to represent the U.S. civilian non-institutionalized population. Sample sizes typically exceed 5,000 per demographic group, with weighted analysis accounting for the complex survey design.
Source: CDC NHANESWhat This Comparison Means
Understanding differences in total cholesterol between men and women is important for:
- Accurate benchmarking – Compare yourself to the appropriate reference population
- Clinical interpretation – Healthcare providers use demographic-specific ranges
- Research understanding – Biological and lifestyle factors influence these differences
- Personalized health goals – Set realistic targets based on your demographic
Explore This Metric
📊 View full Total Cholesterol benchmarks with interactive percentile calculator→Data Transparency & Sources
Content Information
About this page: This page combines data from authoritative sources with AI-assisted analysis to provide comprehensive metric benchmarks. The content has been written and reviewed by our team to ensure accuracy, relevance, and quality.
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Our content creation process combines multiple approaches to ensure quality and accuracy:
- Data Collection: We gather metrics from authoritative sources including WHO, CDC, NIH, and peer-reviewed research
- Analysis: AI tools assist in analyzing patterns, calculating percentiles, and identifying correlations
- Writing: Our team writes original content providing context and insights beyond raw data
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