Get tested with Superpower

If you’ve been postponing blood testing for years or feel frustrated by doctor appointments and limited lab panels, you are not alone. Standard healthcare is often reactive, focusing on testing only after symptoms appear or leaving patients in the dark.

Superpower flips that approach. We give you full insight into your body with over 100 biomarkers, personalized action plans, long-term tracking, and answers to your questions, so you can stay ahead of any health issues.

With physician-reviewed results, CLIA-certified labs, and the option for at-home blood draws, Superpower is designed for people who want clarity, convenience, and real accountability - all in one place.

Key benefits of HDL Cholesterol testing

• Measures your "good" cholesterol that removes harmful fats from arteries.
• Flags cardiovascular risk when HDL drops below protective levels.
• Guides statin or lifestyle therapy to balance your cholesterol profile.
• Tracks response to diet, exercise, or medication over time.
• Clarifies metabolic syndrome risk when combined with triglycerides and waist measurement.
• Explains fatigue or chest symptoms linked to poor lipid balance.
• Best interpreted with LDL, triglycerides, and total cholesterol for complete heart risk assessment.

What is HDL Cholesterol?

HDL cholesterol refers to the cholesterol carried inside high-density lipoprotein particles, tiny protein-wrapped packages that circulate in your bloodstream. Your liver and intestines produce these particles, which are smaller and denser than other cholesterol carriers.

HDL acts as your body's cleanup crew

HDL particles travel through your blood vessels picking up excess cholesterol from artery walls and other tissues. They transport this collected cholesterol back to your liver, where it's processed and eventually removed from your body. This reverse transport system helps prevent cholesterol buildup in places where it doesn't belong.

Why HDL earned its "good cholesterol" nickname

HDL cholesterol reflects how effectively your body is clearing cholesterol from circulation. Higher levels generally indicate a more active cleanup process, which is why HDL has been associated with cardiovascular protection. The measurement tells you how much cholesterol is currently riding inside these beneficial HDL particles at the moment your blood was drawn.

Why is HDL Cholesterol important?

HDL cholesterol measures the concentration of high-density lipoprotein particles that transport cholesterol from artery walls back to the liver for removal. This reverse cholesterol transport protects against atherosclerosis, making HDL a key indicator of cardiovascular resilience and metabolic health. General reference ranges span from below 40 to above 60 mg/dL, with higher values typically conferring greater protection.

When HDL runs too low, arteries lose a critical defender

Values below 40 in men or below 50 in women signal impaired cholesterol clearance and heightened inflammation within blood vessel walls. This raises the risk of coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, and stroke. Low HDL often accompanies insulin resistance, obesity, and sedentary patterns, creating a metabolic environment that accelerates plaque formation.

Higher HDL reflects robust reverse transport and vascular repair

Levels above 60 are associated with lower cardiovascular event rates and improved endothelial function. HDL particles also carry antioxidant and anti-inflammatory proteins that stabilize plaques and support immune signaling. Women naturally maintain higher HDL than men due to estrogen's lipid effects, and these levels decline after menopause.

HDL connects lipid metabolism to inflammation and long-term organ health

Beyond cholesterol transport, HDL influences glucose regulation, immune modulation, and even cognitive function through cerebrovascular protection. Persistently low HDL amplifies the impact of elevated LDL and triglycerides, compounding atherosclerotic risk. Tracking HDL over time offers insight into metabolic trajectory and the body's capacity to defend its vascular network.

What do my HDL Cholesterol results mean?

Low HDL cholesterol

Low values usually reflect reduced capacity for reverse cholesterol transport, the process by which HDL particles carry cholesterol away from artery walls back to the liver. This pattern is common in insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, sedentary states, and smoking. It often accompanies elevated triglycerides and small dense LDL particles. Men typically have lower HDL than women, and levels decline modestly with age in both sexes.

Optimal HDL cholesterol

Being in range suggests efficient cholesterol clearance and anti-inflammatory activity within the vascular system. HDL also carries antioxidant enzymes that protect LDL from oxidation. Most guidelines define optimal as above 40 mg/dL in men and above 50 mg/dL in women, though cardiovascular benefit appears strongest when HDL sits in the mid to upper portion of the reference range.

High HDL cholesterol

High values usually reflect robust reverse cholesterol transport and are generally associated with lower cardiovascular risk. Extremely high HDL, particularly above 100 mg/dL, may occasionally signal genetic variants that impair cholesterol delivery to the liver or rare conditions affecting lipid metabolism, though this is uncommon.

Factors that influence HDL cholesterol

HDL rises modestly during pregnancy and can be suppressed by acute illness, certain medications including beta blockers and anabolic steroids, and chronic inflammatory states. Alcohol intake tends to raise HDL, which complicates interpretation in some individuals.