Low triglyceride levels affect calculation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol values.
The Friedewald formula for the calculation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) values is fairly accurate provided the triglyceride value is less than 400 mg/dL. It is not clear whether the estimation is also valid in the presence of low triglyceride and high cholesterol levels. We describe herein a patient with a low triglyceride value of approximately 50 mg/dL, a high cholesterol level, and a discrepant LDL-C level. The LDL-C level using the Friedewald calculation turned out to be much higher than the LDL-C level using direct measurement. We, therefore, suggest that in the presence of low triglyceride and high cholesterol levels, the LDL-C level should be measured directly instead of using the Friedewald calculation.
Clincal Laboratories, Sinlau Christian Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan. twang@ms26.url.com.tw
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Wang
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Haddad
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Wang
D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides