What are safe cholesterol levels for women?

Desirable cholesterol levels for a woman are less than 200 milligrams per deciliter, according to MedlinePlus from the National Institutes of Health. The optimal level for LDL cholesterol is a number below 100 milligrams per deciliter, while the best number for HDL cholesterol are 60 milligrams per deciliter or higher.

A LDL cholesterol reading of between 100 to 129 milligrams per deciliter is considered near optimal by the National Institutes of Health, as is an HDL reading of between 40 to 59 milligrams per deciliter. Cholesterol levels for women typically increase with age, with LDL cholesterol levels increasing after menopause.