Friedewald LDL Equation

Friedewald LDL Equation: Estimates LDL cholesterol from standard lipid panel measurements (Total Cholesterol, HDL, and Triglycerides).

Total Cholesterol

HDL Cholesterol

Triglycerides

Guidelines & Evidence

Verified

Last Review: 2026-07-17

When to Use

To estimate Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol when a direct LDL measurement is not available (which is the standard in most clinical laboratories).

Do Not Use If

Triglycerides are severely elevated (>400 mg/dL or >4.5 mmol/L). The formula assumes a fixed ratio of triglycerides to VLDL cholesterol, which breaks down entirely in severe hypertriglyceridemia.

Last Comprehensive Review: 2026-07-17

Guidelines & Evidence

Verified

Last Review: 2026-07-17

When to Use

To estimate Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol when a direct LDL measurement is not available (which is the standard in most clinical laboratories).

Do Not Use If

Triglycerides are severely elevated (>400 mg/dL or >4.5 mmol/L). The formula assumes a fixed ratio of triglycerides to VLDL cholesterol, which breaks down entirely in severe hypertriglyceridemia.

Last Comprehensive Review: 2026-07-17

In Recent Clinical News

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Friedewald LDL Equation

When to Use

When to Use

Do Not Use If

How it Works

The Formula

Underestimation Risk

Clinical Pearls

The Martin/Hopkins Alternative

Non-HDL Cholesterol

The Evidence

Original Derivation

Estimation of the concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in plasma, without use of the preparative ultracentrifuge.

Next Steps

Complementary Calculators

When to Use

When to Use

Do Not Use If

How it Works

The Formula

Underestimation Risk

Clinical Pearls

The Martin/Hopkins Alternative

Non-HDL Cholesterol

The Evidence

Original Derivation

Estimation of the concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in plasma, without use of the preparative ultracentrifuge.

Next Steps

Complementary Calculators

In Recent Clinical News

Friedewald LDL Equation

When to Use

When to Use

Do Not Use If

How it Works

The Formula

Underestimation Risk

Clinical Pearls

The Martin/Hopkins Alternative

Non-HDL Cholesterol

The Evidence

Original Derivation

Estimation of the concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in plasma, without use of the preparative ultracentrifuge.

Next Steps

Complementary Calculators

When to Use

When to Use

Do Not Use If

How it Works

The Formula

Underestimation Risk

Clinical Pearls

The Martin/Hopkins Alternative

Non-HDL Cholesterol

The Evidence

Original Derivation

Estimation of the concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in plasma, without use of the preparative ultracentrifuge.

Next Steps

Complementary Calculators

In Recent Clinical News