II. Physiology
- See Lipoprotein
- Small (18-25 nm) and light (1.019 to 1.063 g/ml) Lipoproteins, with primarily a core of Cholesterol esters and a lower concentration of Triglycerides
- LDL transports Cholesterol esters from the liver throughout the body
- Phospholipid monolayer surface contains a single Apolipoprotein A100
III. Calculation (Accurate if Triglycerides < 400 mg/dl)
- LDL = Total Cholesterol - HDL - (Triglyceride / 5) or
- LDL = Total Cholesterol - HDL - VLDL
IV. Interpretation: Normal
- Range: under 160 mg/dl
- Normal range dependent on Cardiac Risk Factors
V. Causes: Increased
- Primary hyperlipoproteinemia
- High fat diet
- Acute Myocardial Infarction
- Obstructive Liver Disease (e.g. Primary Biliary Cirrhosis)
- Hypothyroidism
- Nephrotic Syndrome
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Anabolic Steroid use
- Medications
VI. Causes: Decreased
- Abetalipoproteinemia
- Advanced liver disease
- Malnutrition