The LDL formula for Primal/Paleo peeps

Cerebrus189

I thought I'd share some of my newfound knowledge from one of the article reply threads on MDA. Mark was talking about cholesterol levels and why LDL might be elevated while following Primal. Unless the LDL is directly counted, labs typically rely on measuring LDL levels using Friedewald equation (1974).

Dr Friedewald developed his equation based on the science they had at the time. LDL was difficult to measure and even today it's expensive. However, with the formula he developed, there are known issues with triglycerides over 400 and under 100. My TGs are at 53, as most people who follow Paleo and Primal will be. My last cholesterol results showed slightly elevated cholesterol levels, from 130 to 167, but again, this was measured using the Friedewald equation.

Using the published article and forums posts below, my actual LDL level is around 117.1, not too far off from my last cholesterol screening showing 110 using standard methods. I understand there are large and fluffy vs. small and dense lipoproteins that play into cholesterol, but this excludes that argument completely.

Article by Dr. Eades regarding LDL: http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/weight-loss/low-carbohydrate-diets-increase-ldl-debunking-the-myth/
The study Dr. Eades is referring to: http://www.ams.ac.ir/AIM/NEWPUB/08/11/3/0014.pdf
Article from Dr. Guyenet regarding calculation: http://wholehealthsource.blogspot.com/2009/06/when-friedewald-attacks.html

KBGirts

bump

Cerebrus189

My bad...I calculated it wrong. My equation should have been as follows:

Total Cholesterol = 167
Triglycerides = 53
HDL = 57

So the formula for me is actually LDL= (167/1.19) + (53/1.9) - (57/1.1) - 38

LDL = 140.3 + 27.9 - 51.8 - 38

Use the PEMDAS rule taught in 3rd grade...

New LDL = 78.4!!

Now that's something to celebrate.

MrsAbles

Thank you for posting that formula. I recently had bloodwork done and my lipid panel has my doctor suggesting statins, so this is really on my mind.

I am 52, 140 pounds. I've been following Primal since March 2012. These are my numbers:
Total Cholesterol = 245
Triglycerides = 59
HDL = 56
Calculated LDL (per dr)=178

Following the formula for LDL that you posted, my recalculated LDL is 147.9 (still high.)

I read an article by Chris Kresser that had a more reassuring formula for me. (I found the link either on MFP or MDA.) This paragraph was key:

"And the most important number on a conventional lipid panel is the relationship between triglycerides and HDL. (Divide triglyercids by HDL to get it.) If that number is less than 2, this suggests you have mostly large, buoyant LDL – which is not a risk factor for heart disease. If that number is higher than 3, it suggests you have mostly small, dense LDL – which most certainly is a risk factor for heart disease."

Here's the link to the article: http://chriskresser.com/5-reasons-not-to-worry-about-your-cholesterol-numbers

Using this formula, for my numbers: Trig 59 divided by HDL 56= 1.05 and that means large buoyant LDL particles and that's good!

Cerebrus, yours are good too! 53/57= .92

Cerebrus189

Great link! And thanks for calculating it for me.