What does LDL (calc) mean?

In my blood test result, under cholesterol, besides Triglycerides snd HDL, it has LDL, which I know is bad cholesterol, it has in parentheses (calc) and the number 135.4 mg/dl. I read that the number should be below 100, but my result was not flagged. Everything else in the cholesterol was normal.

LDL (calc) means it was calculated. If they didn't flag it, you probably aren't at high risk for anything.

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) refers to a class and range of lipoprotein particles, varying in their size (18-25 nm in diameter) and contents, which carry fatty acid molecules in the blood and around the body, for use by cells. It is the final stage of VLDL (very low-density lipoprotein) which is produced by the liver. The LDL contains the apolipoproteins B-100 (Apo B-100, a protein with 4536 amino acid residues) ONLY. It also contains antioxidative vitamins (vitamin E or carotinoids). It is commonly referred to as "bad cholesterol" due to the link between high LDL levels and cardiovascular disease.

And That's My Best Answer!

LDL Cholesterol


Also known as: LDL, LDL-C, "bad" cholesterol
Formal name: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol
Related tests: Cholesterol, HDL, Triglycerides, Lipid profile email this page

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The Test
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How is it used?
When is it ordered?
What does the test result mean?
Is there anything else I should know?


How is it used?
The test for LDL is used to predict your risk of developing heart disease. Of all the forms of cholesterol in the blood, the LDL cholesterol is considered the most important form in determining risk of heart disease. Treatment decisions are based on LDL values.


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When is it ordered?
LDL levels are ordered as part a lipid profile, along with total cholesterol, HDL, and triglycerides. This profile may be ordered as a screening profile in a healthy person as part of a routine physical exam. A lipid profile may be ordered on someone who has had a high screening cholesterol to see if the total cholesterol is high because of too much LDL.


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What does the test result mean?
Elevated levels of LDL indicate risk for heart disease. Treatment (with diet or drugs) for high LDL aims to lower LDL to a target value based on your overall risk of heart disease. Your target value is:

LDL less than 70 mg/dL (1.82 mmol/L) if you are at very high risk of heart disease.
LDL less than 100 mg/dL (2.59 mmol/L) if you have heart disease or diabetes.
LDL less than 130 mg/dL (3.37 mmol/L) if you have 2 or more risk factors* (intermediate risk for heart disease).
LDL less than 160 mg/dL (4.14 mmol/L) if you have 0 or 1 risk factor* (low risk for heart disease).
*Risk factors include:


Cigarette smoking
Age (you are a male 45 years or older or a female 55 years or older)
Low HDL (less than 40 mg/dL (1.04 mmol/L))
Hypertension (Blood pressure of 140/90 or higher or taking high blood pressure medications)
Family history of premature heart disease (heart disease in a first degree male relative under age 55 or a first degree female relative under age 65)
[Note: High HDL (60 mg/dL or above) is considered a "negative risk factor" and its presence allows the removal of one risk factor from the total.]



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Is there anything else I should know?
Laboratory tests for LDL generally require a 12-hour fast鈥攎eaning that you must not eat or drink anything that has calories for 12 hours before your blood is drawn. This is because LDL is usually calculated from the results of other tests, including triglycerides, that require fasting. This result may be reported as 鈥淐alculated LDL.鈥?Some laboratories can measure LDL directly using a special technology and fasting is not necessary. This test is usually called 鈥淒irect LDL.鈥?

LDL cholesterol should be measured when a person is healthy. LDL cholesterol is temporarily low during acute illness, immediately following a heart attack, or during stress (like from surgery or an accident). You should wait at least six weeks after any illness to have LDL cholesterol measured.

In women, cholesterol is high during pregnancy. Women should wait at least six weeks after the baby is born to have LDL cholesterol measured

LDL means "Low Density Lipoprotein" which is as you say a type of "bad" cholesterol, the (calc) means it was calculated by a machine using a formula based on your own levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL or "Good cholesterol" rather than being meassured directly. The limits for LDL depend on your cardiovascular risk, this means the calculated risk you have of suffering coronary disease. A person with no cardiovascular risk should have LDL levels up to 160, intermediate risk should be less than 130 and high risk lower than 100. If you have had a heart attack, have hypertension or diabetes, smoke or suffer many other consitions you could have cardiovascular risk factors... you should ask your doctor to asses you and tell you which are your particular LDL goals as they need to be personalized.

Hope you found this answer useful!

if you have had a heart attack your goal LDL goal is <100, if it said "LDL calc" then they atually didn't check your true LDL level. they used a formula to estimate it. good LDL is <130, they won't put you on medicine for it until it is <160 usually, unless you have other risk factors or disease states. call your doctor to learn more. by the way, HDL is good cholesterol, you want it as high as possible, >40 for men, >50 for women is the goal.