Cholesterol Calculation

Cholesterol Calculation Calculator

function calculateCholesterol() { var totalCholesterol = parseFloat(document.getElementById('totalCholesterol').value); var hdlCholesterol = parseFloat(document.getElementById('hdlCholesterol').value); var triglycerides = parseFloat(document.getElementById('triglycerides').value); var ldlResultElement = document.getElementById('ldlResult'); var nonHdlResultElement = document.getElementById('nonHdlResult'); var friedewaldWarningElement = document.getElementById('friedewaldWarning'); friedewaldWarningElement.innerHTML = "; // Clear previous warnings if (isNaN(totalCholesterol) || isNaN(hdlCholesterol) || isNaN(triglycerides) || totalCholesterol <= 0 || hdlCholesterol <= 0 || triglycerides = totalCholesterol) { ldlResultElement.innerHTML = 'LDL Cholesterol: HDL Cholesterol cannot be greater than or equal to Total Cholesterol.'; nonHdlResultElement.innerHTML = 'Non-HDL Cholesterol: — mg/dL'; return; } // Calculate Non-HDL Cholesterol var nonHdlCholesterol = totalCholesterol – hdlCholesterol; nonHdlResultElement.innerHTML = 'Non-HDL Cholesterol: ' + nonHdlCholesterol.toFixed(1) + ' mg/dL'; // Calculate LDL Cholesterol using Friedewald equation var ldlCholesterol; if (triglycerides >= 400) { ldlResultElement.innerHTML = 'LDL Cholesterol: Cannot be accurately calculated by Friedewald equation (Triglycerides ≥ 400 mg/dL).'; friedewaldWarningElement.innerHTML = 'Note: The Friedewald equation is not accurate when triglycerides are 400 mg/dL or higher. Direct LDL measurement is recommended.'; } else { ldlCholesterol = totalCholesterol – hdlCholesterol – (triglycerides / 5); if (ldlCholesterol < 0) { // LDL cannot be negative ldlResultElement.innerHTML = 'LDL Cholesterol: Calculation resulted in a negative value. Please check your inputs.'; } else { ldlResultElement.innerHTML = 'LDL Cholesterol: ' + ldlCholesterol.toFixed(1) + ' mg/dL'; } } }

Understanding Your Cholesterol Levels

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in your blood. Your body needs cholesterol to build healthy cells, but high levels can increase your risk of heart disease. This calculator helps you understand key components of your cholesterol profile based on standard measurements.

Key Cholesterol Components:

• Total Cholesterol: The sum of all cholesterol in your blood, including HDL, LDL, and VLDL.
• HDL Cholesterol (High-Density Lipoprotein): Often called "good" cholesterol because it helps remove excess cholesterol from your arteries, preventing buildup. Higher levels are generally better.
• LDL Cholesterol (Low-Density Lipoprotein): Often called "bad" cholesterol because high levels can lead to plaque buildup in your arteries, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Lower levels are generally better.
• Triglycerides: A type of fat found in your blood. High triglycerides can also increase your risk of heart disease.
• Non-HDL Cholesterol: This is your Total Cholesterol minus your HDL Cholesterol. It includes all the "bad" types of cholesterol (LDL, VLDL, IDL, Lp(a)) and is considered a strong predictor of cardiovascular risk, especially when triglycerides are high.

How the Calculator Works:

This calculator uses your measured Total Cholesterol, HDL Cholesterol, and Triglycerides to estimate two important values:

1. LDL Cholesterol (Friedewald Equation): The calculator estimates your LDL cholesterol using the Friedewald equation:
   LDL-C = Total Cholesterol - HDL-C - (Triglycerides / 5)
   This formula is widely used but has a limitation: it is not accurate when triglyceride levels are 400 mg/dL or higher. In such cases, direct measurement of LDL is usually required.
2. Non-HDL Cholesterol: This is a straightforward calculation:
   Non-HDL-C = Total Cholesterol - HDL-C
   Non-HDL cholesterol is increasingly recognized as an important risk factor, particularly for individuals with high triglycerides or metabolic syndrome.

Example Calculation:

Let's say your lab results are:

• Total Cholesterol: 200 mg/dL
• HDL Cholesterol: 50 mg/dL
• Triglycerides: 150 mg/dL

Using the calculator:

• Calculated LDL Cholesterol: 200 – 50 – (150 / 5) = 200 – 50 – 30 = 120 mg/dL
• Calculated Non-HDL Cholesterol: 200 – 50 = 150 mg/dL

Important Disclaimer:

This calculator provides estimates based on standard formulas and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment. The accuracy of the Friedewald equation can vary, especially with certain medical conditions or very high triglyceride levels.