Library/Heart/LDL cholesterol/50

LDL cholesterol of 50 mg/dLWhat it means, and what usually happens next

50mg/dL LDL cholesterol
Low
70100130160190

An LDL cholesterol of 50 mg/dL is under 70 mg/dL, the level guidelines aim for in people who have had a heart attack or stroke.

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LDL cholesterol50mg/dL
In mmol/L1.29
The usual rangeunder 100 mg/dL is called optimal

What usually happens next

Nothing to act on for most people; very low LDL from medicine is safe and is the aim in people at the highest risk.

When an LDL cholesterol can read wrong

Many labs calculate LDL rather than measure it, and the older Friedewald formula reads too low when triglycerides are high (over about 150, and it isn't used over 400). A recent illness, big weight loss or pregnancy also moves it. ApoB isn't fooled by triglycerides.

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Questions

Is an LDL cholesterol of 50 mg/dL normal?

An LDL cholesterol of 50 mg/dL is under 70 mg/dL, the level guidelines aim for in people who have had a heart attack or stroke. The usual range is under 100 mg/dL is called optimal.

What is 50 mg/dL in mmol/L?

1.29 mmol/L. Labs in different countries print LDL cholesterol in different units; the meaning is the same.

Is an LDL of 50 mg/dL high?

Under 100 mg/dL is optimal, 100 to 129 near optimal, 130 to 159 borderline high, 160 to 189 high and 190 or more very high. What it means for you depends on your overall heart risk.

Do I need a statin with an LDL of 50 mg/dL?

At 190 mg/dL or more the ACC/AHA guideline recommends one regardless of other risk. Below that, it depends on your 10-year risk, diabetes and other factors, a decision made with your doctor.

Worked out by LifeFrom from the NCEP categories and the 2018 AHA/ACC guideline, and not yet reviewed by a clinician. For your own understanding: only a lab test, read by your clinician, diagnoses anything.