GlenCalc

LDL cholesterol calculator

Enter the three numbers from your lipid panel. Many labs calculate LDL this way; others measure it directly or use newer equations.

Your answer

LDL cholesterol120 mg/dL
Non-HDL cholesterol150 mg/dL
Total to HDL ratio4

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How we worked it out

Updated as you change the numbers.

  1. LDL = total − HDL − triglycerides ÷ 5.

Method and assumptions

The Friedewald formula estimates the cholesterol carried in VLDL as triglycerides ÷ 5 (in mg/dL) and subtracts it with HDL from the total. It is less accurate at very low LDL or high triglycerides. Targets depend on your overall heart risk; discuss them with your clinician.

Questions

What is LDL with total cholesterol 200, HDL 50 and triglycerides 150?

120 mg/dL. Non-HDL is 150 and the ratio is 4.0.

Sources

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