LDL Cholesterol

A while back, I posted my lipids. Of note was my "high cholesterol". Here are the numbers:

Total Cholesterol: 252
HDL: 78
Triglycerides: 27
LDL: 168

The LDL wasn't measured directly as we didn't order that test. It was calculated using the Friedewald equation. It was flagged as high on the lab report and I was a bit concerned at the time (though now that I've looked into it, I am not worried any more...)

Recently, Dr. Eades posted that the Friedewald equation doesn't give a reasonable answer if triglycerides are above 400 or less than 100. Stephan had a few posts filling out more of the details on Dr. Eades post. There is a cool calculator that will provide a more realistic LDL if triglycerides are low. I plugged my numbers in and got the 168 from Friedewald and a 117 with the "Iranian". Much better!