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LDL test - Results

Alternative Names

Low-density lipoprotein test

Normal Values:

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

Optimal: Less than 100 mg/dL (less than 70 mg/dL for persons with a history of heart disease or those at very high risk for atherosclerotic disease)
Near Optimal: 100 - 129 mg/dL
Borderline High: 130 - 159 mg/dL
High: 160 - 189 mg/dL
Very High: 190 mg/dL and higher

Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

The examples above show the common measurements for results for these tests. Some laboratories use different measurements or may test different specimens.

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:

Blood test

Reviewed last on: 5/23/2010
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults. Executive summary of the third report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) expert panel on detection, evaluation, and treatment of high blood cholesterol in adults (Adult Treatment Panel III). JAMA. 2001;285:2486-2497. Updated 2004.

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for lipid disorders in adults: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ); 2008 Jun.

Semenkovich CF. Disorders of lipid metabolism. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 217.

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