What you carry at this position in your DNA and what research says about it.
HDL Cholesterol Levels: 10/10 evidence, 24 publications.
You're viewing every possible genotype for this variant.
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Sample genotype (not yours): A/A
Typical HDL and Triglyceride Levels
This genotype is associated with standard hepatic lipase activity, resulting in typical baseline levels of HDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
What this genotype means: Typical HDL cholesterol levels; Typical triglyceride levels.
Sample genotype (not yours): A/G
Slightly Higher HDL and Triglycerides
Carrying one copy of the G allele leads to a mild reduction in hepatic lipase activity, slightly raising both HDL and triglyceride levels.
What this genotype means: Slightly elevated protective HDL; Slightly elevated triglycerides.
Sample genotype (not yours): G/G
Higher HDL with Elevated Triglycerides
Carrying two copies of the G allele significantly reduces hepatic lipase activity, creating a trade-off of higher protective HDL alongside higher triglycerides.
What this genotype means: Higher protective HDL cholesterol; Elevated circulating triglycerides; Slightly higher total cholesterol.
Gene function and biological role
Gene Function: The LIPC gene encodes hepatic triglyceride lipase, an enzyme synthesized by liver cells that plays a central role in lipid metabolism [1]. This enzyme is responsible for breaking down triglycerides and phospholipids within circulating lipoproteins, helping to remodel high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles [1]. By converting larger, lipid-rich HDL particles into smaller ones, hepatic lipase facilitates their clearance from the bloodstream [1]. Consequently, variations in LIPC activity directly influence circulating levels of both protective HDL cholesterol and other blood lipids [2].
Variant Impact: The rs1077835 variant is an intronic single nucleotide polymorphism located within the LIPC gene that is in tight linkage disequilibrium with key promoter variants [1]. The minor G allele of this variant is strongly linked to reduced hepatic lipase enzyme activity [1]. Because the enzyme is less active, it breaks down and clears HDL particles at a slower rate, leading to an increase in circulating HDL cholesterol levels [1]. However, this reduced breakdown also results in a modest increase in circulating triglycerides and total cholesterol [2].
Key Insight: While the G allele raises protective HDL cholesterol, it also slightly increases triglycerides because the hepatic lipase enzyme is less active at clearing fats from the blood.
Location: LIPC. Chromosome 15 · 15q21.3 · 58.4 Mb
Estimated prevalence by population
Global 45.8%; European 60.7%; African 23.4%; East Asian 33.9%; South Asian 51.6%; Americas 32.2%; Ashkenazi 58.2%; Finnish 52.4%; Middle Eastern 59.6%; Amish 77.3%.
Estimated AA genotype frequency.
Global 41.2%; European 34.4%; African 49.9%; East Asian 48.6%; South Asian 40.5%; Americas 49.1%; Ashkenazi 36.2%; Finnish 40.0%; Middle Eastern 35.2%; Amish 21.3%.
Estimated AG genotype frequency.
Global 13.0%; European 4.9%; African 26.7%; East Asian 17.4%; South Asian 7.9%; Americas 18.7%; Ashkenazi 5.6%; Finnish 7.6%; Middle Eastern 5.2%; Amish 1.5%.
Estimated GG genotype frequency.
Showing effects for A/A genotype
Cardiovascular & Metabolic
Lipids & Cholesterol
HDL Cholesterol. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 19101670. Typical Levels.
Triglycerides. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 29507422. Typical Levels.
Total Cholesterol. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 29507422. Typical Levels.
Nutrition & Metabolism
Macronutrient Metabolism
Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 35213538. Typical Levels.
Showing effects for A/G genotype
HDL Cholesterol. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 19101670. Slightly Higher.
Triglycerides. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 29507422. Slightly Higher.
Total Cholesterol. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 29507422. Slightly Higher.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 35213538. Slightly Higher.
Showing effects for G/G genotype
HDL Cholesterol. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 19101670. Higher Levels.
Triglycerides. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 29507422. Higher Levels.
Total Cholesterol. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 29507422. Higher Levels.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 35213538. Higher Levels.
What this genotype means for the people who carry it
Sample genotype: AA (Homozygous)
This genotype represents the most common genetic profile globally, carrying two copies of the major A allele. With this profile, hepatic lipase enzyme activity operates at a standard baseline rate [1]. This typical enzyme activity level means that HDL particles are remodeled and cleared from the bloodstream at a normal pace, maintaining typical levels of protective HDL cholesterol [1]. Similarly, triglycerides and total cholesterol levels are not genetically elevated or lowered by this specific variant [2]. Overall, lipid levels are likely to be influenced primarily by diet, exercise, and other lifestyle factors rather than this genetic marker.
Typical HDL cholesterol levels; Typical triglyceride levels.
Sample genotype: AG (Heterozygous)
This heterozygous genotype is associated with a moderate reduction in hepatic lipase enzyme activity [1]. Because the enzyme is slightly less active, the breakdown of HDL cholesterol is mildly delayed, which typically results in slightly higher circulating levels of protective HDL [1]. At the same time, this reduced clearance rate can lead to a very modest increase in circulating triglycerides and total cholesterol [2]. These subtle shifts generally balance each other out, meaning the overall impact on cardiovascular health is typically minimal. Lifestyle factors such as a balanced diet and regular physical activity remain the primary drivers of lipid health for individuals with this genetic profile.
Slightly elevated protective HDL; Slightly elevated triglycerides.
Sample genotype: GG (Homozygous)
This genotype is associated with a more pronounced reduction in hepatic lipase enzyme activity [1]. With lower enzyme activity, the clearance of HDL particles from the blood is slowed, leading to significantly higher levels of protective HDL cholesterol [1]. However, this same mechanism also reduces the breakdown of other fats, resulting in elevated circulating triglycerides and total cholesterol [2]. This creates a unique metabolic trade-off where a beneficial increase in protective cholesterol coexists with a potentially unfavorable rise in triglycerides. Because of these opposing lipid shifts, the overall impact on cardiovascular wellness is variable and depends heavily on broader metabolic health.
Higher protective HDL cholesterol; Elevated circulating triglycerides; Slightly higher total cholesterol.
Variants with shared genetic architecture
rs10468017 · LIPC Gene · Chr 15 · Cholesterol and Eye Health
rs1077834 · LIPC Gene · Chr 15 · Cholesterol and Liver Health
rs113298164 · LIPC Gene · Chr 15 · HDL and Triglycerides
LIPC variants in the promoter and intron 1 modify HDL-C levels in a sex-specific fashion.
A large electronic-health-record-based genome-wide study of serum lipids.
Content updated August 2026.
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