Martin/Hopkins LDL

Martin/Hopkins LDL: Improved LDL estimation with adjusted TG:VLDL ratio, especially accurate at low triglycerides.

Lipid Panel Values

Total Cholesterol (mg/dL)

HDL Cholesterol (mg/dL)

Triglycerides (mg/dL, <400 required)

Formula

VLDL = TG / adjusted_divisor
LDL = TC − HDL − VLDL

Guidelines & Evidence

Verified

Last Review: 2026-07-17

When to Use

LDL calculation when triglycerides <400 mg/dL

Particularly useful when TG <150 mg/dL (superior to Friedewald)

Fine-tuning of dyslipidaemia assessment

Research-grade lipid analysis; evolving clinical adoption

Advantages Over Friedewald

Adjustable TG:VLDL ratio based on TG levels (not fixed 5:1)

More accurate at low triglycerides (<150 mg/dL)

Better prediction of cardiovascular risk in lean phenotypes

Particularly useful in HFpEF and diabetes populations

How it Works

Formula

VLDL = TG / adjusted divisor Adjusted divisor varies by TG range: TG <100: divisor ≈ 5.6 TG 100–150: divisor ≈ 5.3 TG 150–200: divisor ≈ 5.0 TG 200–400: divisor ≈ 4.6 LDL = TC − HDL − VLDL

Comparison to Friedewald

Triglyceride Level	Friedewald Divisor	Hopkins Divisor
<100 mg/dL	5.0 (fixed)	5.6 (adjusted)
150–200 mg/dL	5.0 (fixed)	5.0
>200 mg/dL	5.0 (fixed)	<5.0 (adjusted)

Last Comprehensive Review: 2026-07-17

Guidelines & Evidence

Verified

Last Review: 2026-07-17

When to Use

LDL calculation when triglycerides <400 mg/dL

Particularly useful when TG <150 mg/dL (superior to Friedewald)

Fine-tuning of dyslipidaemia assessment

Research-grade lipid analysis; evolving clinical adoption

Advantages Over Friedewald

Adjustable TG:VLDL ratio based on TG levels (not fixed 5:1)

More accurate at low triglycerides (<150 mg/dL)

Better prediction of cardiovascular risk in lean phenotypes

Particularly useful in HFpEF and diabetes populations

How it Works

Formula

Comparison to Friedewald

Triglyceride Level	Friedewald Divisor	Hopkins Divisor
<100 mg/dL	5.0 (fixed)	5.6 (adjusted)
150–200 mg/dL	5.0 (fixed)	5.0
>200 mg/dL	5.0 (fixed)	<5.0 (adjusted)

Last Comprehensive Review: 2026-07-17

Recent Journal Updates

JAMAJul 21, 2026

Correction to Primary Composite Outcome in a Trial of Transfusion Strategy

Clinical Context

We think this might be relevant to the clinical guidance for Martin/Hopkins LDL Calculation.

JAMAJul 21, 2026

PCOS Is Now Called PMOS

Clinical Context

We think this has broad domain relevance to Martin/Hopkins LDL Calculation.

WHO NewsJul 21, 2026

UN report: Global hunger levels ease for third consecutive year as regional disparities persist

Clinical Context

We think this has broad domain relevance to Martin/Hopkins LDL Calculation.

Martin/Hopkins LDL

When to Use

When to Use

Advantages Over Friedewald

How it Works

Formula

Comparison to Friedewald

Clinical Pearls

When to Prefer Martin/Hopkins

Limitations

Next Steps

Therapy Adjustments

Complementary Calculators

The Evidence

Primary Publication

Comparison of a Novel Method vs. the Friedewald Equation for Estimating Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels from the Standard Lipid Profile.

Origins & History

Development

When to Use

When to Use

Advantages Over Friedewald

How it Works

Formula

Comparison to Friedewald

Clinical Pearls

When to Prefer Martin/Hopkins

Limitations

Next Steps

Therapy Adjustments

Complementary Calculators

The Evidence

Primary Publication

Comparison of a Novel Method vs. the Friedewald Equation for Estimating Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels from the Standard Lipid Profile.

Origins & History

Development

Recent Journal Updates

Martin/Hopkins LDL

When to Use

When to Use

Advantages Over Friedewald

How it Works

Formula

Comparison to Friedewald

Clinical Pearls

When to Prefer Martin/Hopkins

Limitations

Next Steps

Therapy Adjustments

Complementary Calculators

The Evidence

Primary Publication

Comparison of a Novel Method vs. the Friedewald Equation for Estimating Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels from the Standard Lipid Profile.

Origins & History

Development

When to Use

When to Use

Advantages Over Friedewald

How it Works

Formula

Comparison to Friedewald

Clinical Pearls

When to Prefer Martin/Hopkins

Limitations

Next Steps

Therapy Adjustments

Complementary Calculators

The Evidence

Primary Publication

Comparison of a Novel Method vs. the Friedewald Equation for Estimating Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels from the Standard Lipid Profile.

Origins & History

Development

Recent Journal Updates