LDL cholesterol
LDL is the “bad” cholesterol: particles that carry cholesterol to the tissues and can build up in the walls of blood vessels.
At a glance
- Sample
- Blood
- Units
- mg/dL (US), mmol/L (Europe)
- Often looked at with
- Total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, Triglycerides
- Preparation
- Labs often ask for 8–12 hours without food, so the lipid panel is taken in the morning; water only. Some labs also accept it non-fasting.
Units: mg/dL and mmol/L
US labs usually print LDL cholesterol in mg/dL, most European labs in mmol/L. To convert, divide mg/dL by 38.665.
mmol/L = mg/dL ÷ 38.665 · molar mass 386.65 g/mol
This converter changes units only. It doesn’t tell you whether a number is in or out of any range: that depends on the range printed by your own lab, and on your doctor. Soma does not diagnose and is not medical advice.
Why lab ranges differ
Each lab sets its reference range for its own method and analyser, and many ranges differ by age and sex. Two labs can print different ranges for the same blood, so a result is read against the range on its own report, not against a number from another lab or a website.
Soma charts every LDL cholesterol result against the range printed by the lab that measured it.
What can affect the result
- It is often calculated from triglycerides, so food before the test can skew it.
- A recent illness or surgery lowers it.
- Very high triglycerides make the calculation inaccurate.
If something like this applies, mention it to the doctor who reads your results.
Questions
How do I convert LDL cholesterol from mg/dL to mmol/L?
Divide mg/dL by 38.665. For example, 200 mg/dL is 5.17 mmol/L.
Why does my lab’s LDL cholesterol range differ from another lab’s?
Each lab sets its range for its own method and equipment, and many ranges differ by age and sex. That’s why a result is best read against the range printed on the same report.
How do I prepare for a LDL cholesterol test?
Labs often ask for 8–12 hours without food, so the lipid panel is taken in the morning; water only. Some labs also accept it non-fasting. Follow your lab’s instructions.
Related tests
Got a lab report with LDL cholesterol?
Share it to Soma: it reads every row on your phone, with no account and no upload, and puts your LDL cholesterol on one chart with your earlier results, each against the range your lab printed.
Sources
- Cholesterol Levels — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
- Units: PubChem: Cholesterol (cholesterol), molar mass 386.65 g/mol, as the Soma app converts.
Mention of a source doesn’t mean it endorses Soma. This page explains the test; it doesn’t diagnose and is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about what your results mean.