LDL Cholesterol
LDL cholesterol rises through early and middle adulthood in both sexes, with females overtaking males after midlife as estrogen-mediated LDL clearance declines following menopause.
Unit: mg/dL · 12 slices · age and sex · 1 source
Filed under panels: Lipid Panel , Metabolic Panel · topics: Lipids , Metabolic
LDL cholesterol in NHANES is a calculated value using the Friedewald equation (LDL = Total Cholesterol - HDL - Triglycerides/5) and is only available for participants in the fasting subsample. These percentiles are derived from the full US fasting subsample and include individuals on lipid-lowering medication. Note: 1 mg/dL is approximately 0.02586 mmol/L.
Population Distribution
Browse by Demographic
| Age (years) | male (mg/dL) | female (mg/dL) |
|---|---|---|
| 20-29 | 55–168 (97) | 60.6–143 (93) |
| 30-39 | 58.4–172.6 (116) | 62–160 (103.1) |
| 40-49 | 76.1–181.7 (122) | 70.3–161 (111) |
| 50-59 | 54–173 (112) | 70–186 (124) |
| 60-69 | 49.4–166 (112) | 60–184.5 (113) |
| 70+ | 54.2–162 (87) | 51–188 (99.1) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is LDL calculated rather than measured directly?
NHANES uses the Friedewald equation: LDL = Total Cholesterol - HDL - (Triglycerides / 5). This formula is only valid for fasting samples with triglycerides below 400 mg/dL. Direct LDL measurement is more accurate at high triglyceride levels but was not used in NHANES for these cycles.
Why do females have higher LDL than males in older age groups?
Estrogen promotes LDL receptor expression in the liver, increasing LDL clearance. After menopause, estrogen levels fall, LDL receptor activity declines, and LDL rises. This hormonal shift causes females to overtake males in median LDL around age 50-60.
How do I convert mg/dL to mmol/L?
Multiply by 0.02586. For example, 100 mg/dL is approximately 2.59 mmol/L.