Friedewald Equation Calculator

Formula

To calculate the LDL Cholesterol (\(LDL\)):

\[ LDL = TC - HDL - \left( \frac{TG}{5} \right) \]

Where:

\(LDL\) is the Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (mg/dL)
\(TC\) is the Total Cholesterol (mg/dL)
\(HDL\) is the High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (mg/dL)
\(TG\) is the Triglycerides (mg/dL)

What is LDL Cholesterol?

LDL cholesterol, often referred to as “bad” cholesterol, is a type of lipoprotein that carries cholesterol through the bloodstream. High levels of LDL cholesterol can lead to plaque buildup in arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke. The Friedewald equation provides a way to estimate LDL levels when direct measurement is not available, which is particularly useful in routine health screenings.

Example Calculation 1

Let's assume the following values:

Total Cholesterol (\(TC\)) = 200 mg/dL
HDL Cholesterol (\(HDL\)) = 50 mg/dL
Triglycerides (\(TG\)) = 150 mg/dL

Using the formula:

\[ LDL = 200 - 50 - \left( \frac{150}{5} \right) = 200 - 50 - 30 = 120 \]

The LDL Cholesterol is 120 mg/dL.

Example Calculation 2

Let's assume the following values:

Total Cholesterol (\(TC\)) = 250 mg/dL
HDL Cholesterol (\(HDL\)) = 60 mg/dL
Triglycerides (\(TG\)) = 200 mg/dL

Using the formula:

\[ LDL = 250 - 60 - \left( \frac{200}{5} \right) = 250 - 60 - 40 = 150 \]

The LDL Cholesterol is 150 mg/dL.