Lab

LDL Cholesterol

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LDL Cholesterol, Low Density Lipoprotein

  • See Also
  1. Hyperlipidemia
  2. Lipoprotein
  • Physiology
  1. See Lipoprotein
  2. Small (18-25 nm) and light (1.019 to 1.063 g/ml) Lipoproteins, with primarily a core of Cholesterol esters and a lower concentration of Triglycerides
  3. LDL transports Cholesterol esters from the liver throughout the body
  4. Phospholipid monolayer surface contains a single Apolipoprotein A100
  • Calculation (Accurate if Triglycerides < 400 mg/dl)
  1. LDL = Total Cholesterol - HDL - (Triglyceride / 5) or
  2. LDL = Total Cholesterol - HDL - VLDL
  • Interpretation
  • Normal
  1. Range: under 160 mg/dl
  2. Normal range dependent on Cardiac Risk Factors
  • Causes
  • Increased
  1. Primary hyperlipoproteinemia
  2. High fat diet
  3. Acute Myocardial Infarction
  4. Obstructive Liver Disease (e.g. Primary Biliary Cirrhosis)
  5. Hypothyroidism
  6. Nephrotic Syndrome
  7. Diabetes Mellitus
  8. Anabolic Steroid use
  9. Medications
    1. Progestins
    2. Thiazide Diuretics
  • Causes
  • Decreased
  1. Abetalipoproteinemia
  2. Advanced liver disease
  3. Malnutrition