LDL, HDL, and triglycerides all factor into total cholesterol count.
HDL cholesterol levels greater than 60 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) are high which is good. HDL cholesterol levels less than 40 mg/dL are low which is bad.
LDL should be between 100 -130 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Also one important point to note is that most diagnostic centers measure only some parts of cholesterol. For e.g. they may measure total cholesterol and hdl and just do maths to derive the ldl. I was informed that to have an accurate reading all the three elements should be measured from the blood sample.
One other important point is that a strict fasting of 14 hrs is highly recommended before doing the test. Else the readings won’t be accurate.
Hope that helps.