🧪 Friedewald LDL-C Estimate
UseQuick bedside LDL-C when a direct assay is unavailable. Units mmol/L or mg/dL. Treatment still follows ASCVD …
StrataThe estimate is a surrogate. LDL targets depend on cardiovascular risk, not this number alone.
LimitsVery high TG, chylomicrons or type III dyslipidaemia bias the result … · Non-fasting TG may be higher. · Implausible inputs can yield a negative LDL.
SourceFriedewald WT, Levy RI, Fredrickson DS. Estimation of the concentration of low-density lipoprotein …
This-shift next steps
After scoring: open the scene pack, peer scores, and the matching pathway. Local reference — no HIS write.
Paste the link in Slack, Teams, X, or LinkedIn — the preview image comes from this page’s Open Graph card.
Methodology · worked example, guidelines & full notes
LDL-C = TC − HDL − TG/5 (mg/dL) or TG/2.2 (mmol/L).
When to use
Quick bedside LDL-C when a direct assay is unavailable. Units mmol/L or mg/dL. Treatment still follows ASCVD risk and a direct LDL when needed.
How it works
mg/dL: LDL-C = TC − HDL-C − TG/5 mmol/L: LDL-C = TC − HDL-C − TG/2.2 Do not use if TG >400 mg/dL or >4.5 mmol/L.
Key points
- LDL-C = TC − HDL − TG/5 (mg/dL) or TG/2.2 (mmol/L).
- If TG>400 mg/dL, measure LDL directly.
- Targets follow ASCVD risk.
References
- Friedewald WT, Levy RI, Fredrickson DS. Estimation of the concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in plasma, without use of the preparative ultracentrifuge. Clin Chem 1972;18:499-502
Worked calculation
The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.
| Total cholesterol TC | 5.2 |
|---|---|
| HDL-C | 1.3 |
| Triglycerides TG | 1.5 |
| Lipid unit | mmol/L |
→Estimated LDL-C3.22mmol/L
- Units used：mmol/L
- Category (rough)：Near target / borderline
| Total cholesterol TC | 5.2 |
|---|---|
| HDL-C | 1.3 |
| Triglycerides TG | 1.5 |
| Lipid unit | mg/dL |
→Estimated LDL-C3.6mg/dL
- Units used：mg/dL
- Category (rough)：Around the <100 mg/dL (<2.6 mmol/L) common target zone
Verification & sources · governance
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
- Does Friedewald LDL-C Estimate upload patient data? Where is it calculated?
- Calculation runs locally in the browser; inputs and results are not uploaded. For licensed clinicians only; interpret with history, investigations and local protocols — not a diagnosis or prescription.
- How is Friedewald LDL-C Estimate calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
- Inputs: Total cholesterol TC 5.2, HDL-C 1.3, Triglycerides TG 1.5, Lipid unit mmol/L → Result: Estimated LDL-C 3.22 mmol/L（Units used: mmol/L, Category (rough): Near target / borderline） Inputs: Total cholesterol TC 5.2, HDL-C 1.3, Triglycerides TG 1.5, Lipid unit mg/dL → Result: Estimated LDL-C 3.6 mg/dL（Units used: mg/dL, Category (rough): Around the <100 mg/dL (<2.6 mmol/L) common target zone）