Lipid Profile

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Enter your lipid values to view a comprehensive cardiac risk analysis.

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About

This clinical-grade tool analyzes your lipid profile to estimate cardiovascular risk. By processing Total Cholesterol (TC), High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL), and Triglycerides (TG), it derives critical biomarkers including Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) and the TC/HDL Ratio.

Accurate lipid analysis is vital for detecting dyslipidemia. While standard blood panels provide raw values, calculated ratios often offer a superior predictive value for potential heart disease. This calculator utilizes the Friedewald Equation for LDL estimation and strictly adheres to NCEP ATP III guidelines for risk categorization.

Note: This tool accounts for the molecular weight difference between cholesterol and triglycerides when converting units, ensuring maximum precision compared to generic converters.

Formulas

The calculator employs the Friedewald Equation to estimate LDL cholesterol. This formula assumes that Very Low-Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol is approximately one-fifth of the triglyceride level (measured in mg/dL).

1. LDL Cholesterol (Friedewald):

LDL = TC − HDL − TG5

Validity Condition: TG < 400 mg/dL

2. Cholesterol Ratio:

Ratio = TCHDL

3. Non-HDL Cholesterol:

Non-HDL = TC − HDL

Variable Legend:

TC = Total Cholesterol
TG = Triglycerides
HDL = High-Density Lipoprotein (Good Cholesterol)

Reference Data

Metric	Optimal / Desirable	Borderline High	High Risk	Very High Risk
LDL Cholesterol	< 100 mg/dL	130 - 159 mg/dL	160 - 189 mg/dL	≥ 190 mg/dL
Total Cholesterol	< 200 mg/dL	200 - 239 mg/dL	≥ 240 mg/dL	-
HDL Cholesterol	≥ 60 mg/dL (Protective)	40 - 59 mg/dL	< 40 mg/dL (Men) < 50 mg/dL (Women)	-
Triglycerides	< 150 mg/dL	150 - 199 mg/dL	200 - 499 mg/dL	≥ 500 mg/dL
TC / HDL Ratio	< 3.5	3.5 - 5.0	> 5.0	-

Frequently Asked Questions

Total Cholesterol (TC) sums up both "good" (HDL) and "bad" (LDL) cholesterol. A high TC might not be alarming if your HDL is also very high. The Ratio (TC divided by HDL) provides a clearer picture of the balance between arterial protection and blockage risk. A ratio below 3.5 implies that for every unit of "good" cholesterol, there are fewer than 3.5 units of total cholesterol, indicating a favorable lipid profile.

The Friedewald Equation estimates VLDL by dividing Triglycerides by 5. At very high triglyceride levels (>400 mg/dL), this relationship breaks down, leading to a significant underestimation of LDL. In such cases, a "Direct LDL" blood test is required for accuracy, as the calculated estimate becomes clinically invalid.

This tool uses precise molecular weight conversions. For Cholesterol (TC, HDL, LDL), the factor is 38.67 (1 mmol/L = 38.67 mg/dL). For Triglycerides, which have a different molecular mass, the factor is 88.57 (1 mmol/L = 88.57 mg/dL). This distinction is critical because applying the cholesterol factor to triglycerides leads to mathematical errors in the LDL calculation.

Non-HDL is simply Total Cholesterol minus HDL. It represents the sum of all "atherogenic" (artery-clogging) lipoproteins: LDL, VLDL, IDL, and Lp(a). Many modern guidelines prefer Non-HDL over LDL as a primary risk marker because it accounts for the danger of VLDL, which is often elevated in patients with high triglycerides or diabetes.