LDL

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Blood test

Overview

Risks

Results

LDL

Alternative Names:

Low density lipoprotein

Normal Values:

A healthy LDL level is one that falls in the optimal or near-optimal range.

Optimal: Less than 100 mg/dL
Near Optimal: 100-129 mg/dL
Borderline High: 130-159 mg/dL
High: 160-189 mg/dL
Very High: 190 mg/dL and higher

Goal LDL levels for patients at high risk for atherosclerosis -- such as patients with diabetes -- or those with known heart disease may be even lower than 100 mg/dL.

Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories.

What abnormal results mean:

High levels of LDL may be associated with:

Increased risk of atherosclerotic heart disease
Familial hyperlipoproteinemia

Lower-than-normal levels of LDL may be caused by:

Malabsorption (inadequate absorption of nutrients from the intestinal tract)
Malnutrition

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:

Review Date: 2/9/2005
Reviewed By: Thomas A. Owens, M.D., Departments of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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