LDL cholesterol: Normalbereich, erhöht und erniedrigt

Kurz gesagtBelow 100 mg/dL (2.59 mmol/L) is optimal; from 160 mg/dL (4.14 mmol/L) is high. With heart or vascular disease, the target is below 70 mg/dL (1.81 mmol/L).

Referenzbereiche

Gruppe	Referenzbereich
Optimal	Less than 100 mg/dL (2.59 mmol/L)
Near optimal / above optimal	100–129 mg/dL (2.59–3.34 mmol/L)
Borderline high	130–159 mg/dL (3.37–4.11 mmol/L)
Hoch	160–189 mg/dL (4.14–4.89 mmol/L)
Very high	190 mg/dL (4.92 mmol/L) and above
Target with heart or vascular disease	Below 70 mg/dL (1.81 mmol/L)
Age 19 or younger	Less than 110 mg/dL (2.85 mmol/L)

Ranges vary slightly among laboratories. If you have coronary artery disease or are at high risk for it, your provider may set a different, lower LDL goal.

Referenzbereich vs optimal — nicht dasselbe

For most adults the goal is below 3.0 mmol/L (<115 mg/dL). With high cardiovascular risk or after a heart attack or stroke, the target is below 1.8 mmol/L (<70 mg/dL).

Wert prüfen

Enter the number from your lab report — see how it compares with the typical range. Mind the units shown in the chosen row.

A rough comparison with a typical range, not a diagnosis. Reference ranges vary between laboratories — check the range on your own report and let a clinician interpret the result.

Was dieser Marker ist

LDL stands for low-density lipoprotein — a combination of fat and protein that carries cholesterol through the blood. It is sometimes called the “bad” cholesterol because a high LDL level leads to a buildup of cholesterol in the arteries. HDL, its counterpart, carries cholesterol back to the liver for removal.

When there is too much LDL cholesterol in the blood, the extra LDL, along with other substances, forms plaque. The plaque builds up in the arteries — atherosclerosis — hardening and narrowing them. In the arteries of the heart this is coronary artery disease: slowed or blocked blood flow can cause chest pain (angina), and a complete blockage causes a heart attack.

The LDL on a report may be marked “calculated” — an estimate derived from total cholesterol, HDL, and triglycerides — or measured “directly” from the blood sample. Either way, the lower the LDL number, the better for the arteries.

LDL is measured within the lipid profile, so the preparation is the panel's: no food for 9 to 12 hours before the draw. How often the test is worth repeating depends on age, risk factors, and family history — general recommendations run from the first test at ages 9–11 to checks every 1–2 years for men 45–65 and women 55–65.

Calculator: LDL by Friedewald and non-HDL

Enter total cholesterol, HDL and fasting triglycerides from your report (mg/dL).

LDL = TC − HDL − TG/5 (mg/dL); non-HDL = TC − HDL. Friedewald is valid when TG < 400 mg/dL and the sample was fasting. Everything runs in your browser.

Wenn er erhöht ist

The atherosclerosis pathwayHigh LDL is less a diagnosis than a mechanism: the excess cholesterol settles into artery walls as plaque, narrowing the vessels of the heart and brain.

Everyday driversThe same factors that raise total cholesterol — saturated fats, inactivity, excess weight, smoking context, diabetes — raise LDL with it.

Familial lipid disordersInherited conditions with high blood cholesterol and triglycerides produce high LDL from early life, which is why family history changes the testing schedule.

Wenn er erniedrigt ist

Lower is betterFor LDL, researchers have not set a lower limit — as low as it goes is generally considered good for heart health.

Was das Ergebnis verfälschen kann

Diese Faktoren können den Wert ohne Krankheit verschieben — lohnt sich zu prüfen, bevor eine Wiederholung erfolgt:

Food within 9–12 hours before the testDiet, weight, physical activityCertain medicines and supplementsFamily history

Vorbereitung

LDL is measured within the lipid profile: no food for 9 to 12 hours before the draw. Tell your provider about all medicines and supplements you take.

Wann eine Wiederholung sinnvoll ist

How often to repeat depends on age, risk factors, and family history: younger adults roughly every 5 years, men 45–65 and women 55–65 every 1–2 years. During cholesterol treatment the level is rechecked against the personal target.

Wer dieses Ergebnis üblicherweise überprüft

Ein Ergebnis außerhalb des Referenzbereichs wird üblicherweise überprüft von:your GP or primary care doctor; a cardiologist if cardiovascular risk is the concern. Bringen Sie Ihren Laborbericht und alle früheren Ergebnisse zum Termin mit.

Namen auf Laborberichten

Ihr Bericht kann einen dieser Namen verwenden:
LDLLDL-CholesterinLow-density lipoproteinBad cholesterol

Einheiten und Umrechnung

Gemessen in:mg/dL

mg/dL = mmol/L

mg/dL × 0.0259 = mmol/L. Example: 100 mg/dL = 2.59 mmol/L. Results are rounded to 2 decimal places.

Mehrere Marker in Ihrem Bericht?

See how MedProtect explains results in the app: the whole report, a check of the recognized values, and a clear breakdown.

Lassen Sie sich Ihre Ergebnisse erklären Beispiel ansehen

Häufig gestellte Fragen

Why is LDL called “bad” cholesterol?

Because of what it does: excess LDL cholesterol settles into artery walls and, together with other substances, forms the plaque of atherosclerosis. Narrowed heart arteries can cause angina; a fully blocked one causes a heart attack.

What does “calculated” LDL mean on my report?

Most reports estimate LDL from the total cholesterol, HDL, and triglyceride numbers rather than measuring it directly. Both approaches answer the same question, and either way a lower number is better.

Is there such a thing as LDL that is too low?

No lower limit has been set — for LDL, lower numbers are better for heart health. Treatment targets, such as below 70 mg/dL (1.81 mmol/L) for people with heart or vascular disease, are set individually.

Quellen

Cholesterol Levels: MedlinePlus Medical Test— MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Abgerufen: 29. August 2026.
LDL: The “Bad” Cholesterol: MedlinePlus— MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Abgerufen: 29. August 2026.
Lipid profile test: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia— MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Abgerufen: 29. August 2026.

LDL-Cholesterin