ACP OnlineNOTE: The following tool was originally produced for the ACP's since-expired Clinical Problem-Solving Cases (CPSC) online CME product.
Friedewald Formula
NOTE: This calculation is only valid if the fasting triglyceride level is less than 400 mg/dL.
Low-Density Lipoprotein Calculator
LDL = total cholesterol level - HDL - [triglyceride level ÷ 5]
Enter the following values:
total cholesterol level: mg/dL
HDL cholesterol level: mg/dL
triglyceride level: mg/dL
Click 'Calculate' button.
LDL cholesterol level: mg/dL
Calculate LDL cholesterol level.
Clear all levels.
Normal Laboratory Values
Plasma Level Desirable Undesirable Borderline
total cholesterol 150 - 199 mg/dL 200 - 239 mg/dL >= 240 mg/dL
HDL >= 40 mg/dL 35 - 39 mg/dL < 35 mg/dL
triglyceride < 250 mg/dL 250 - 500 mg/dL > 500 mg/dL
LDL <= 130 mg/dL 131 - 159 mg/dL >= 160 mg/dL
©1999, 2000. American College of Physicians. All rights reserved. The information included herein should never be used as a substitute for clinical judgment and does not represent an official position of the American College of Physicians.