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SEADOC

Cholesterol Units Converter

This calculator converts cholesterol units from the popularly used mg/dL to the SI units mmol/L. It works for TC, HDL and LDL.

![Cholesterol Units Converter](https://seadoc-cms.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/cholesterol_units_converter_924be75f9a.jpg)

## Cholesterol Units Converter

Use of the calculator is free, confidential, and no registration is necessary.

### Conversion Formula

Conversion for TC (total cholesterol), HDL (high density lipoprotein) and LDL (low density lipoprotein):

- To get from mmol/L to mg/dL multiply by 38.67
- To get from mg/dL to mmol/L multiply by 0.02586

Source: [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK33478/#:~:text=Conversion%20for%20TC%20(total%20cholesterol,%2FL)%20multiply%20by%200.02586)

### Types of Cholesterol Units

Proteins carry cholesterol through your blood. This combination of protein and cholesterol is called  lipoprotein. There are two different types of lipoprotein:

- HDL (high density lipoprotein) takes cholesterol from cells to your liver, which breaks it down as a waste product so your body can get rid of it. Doctors often call HDL the “good” cholesterol, high levels of HDL mean you have less risk of heart disease. But too high HDL cholesterol levels don't protect you any more, they might be harmful.
- LDL (low density lipoprotein) brings cholesterol to your cells so they can use it. When you have too much cholesterol, it builds up in your cells and can lead to disease. High levels of LDL (the “bad” cholesterol) mean you have excess cholesterol in your body.
- When these numbers are off and total cholesterol gets too high, your chances of health problems go up.

Unhealthy cholesterol level is silent, you could have too many lipids in your blood and not know it for many years. Your doctor uses a simple blood test as the only way to find out. For healthy cholesterol levels, your test result should be:

- HDL: more than 50 mg/dL
- LDL: 70 - 130 mg/dL
- Total cholesterol: less than 200 mg/dL

### High Cholesterol: Causes, Symptoms, Health Tips

You’ve probably heard that high cholesterol isn’t good. Actually your body needs cholesterol to function correctly for cell membranes, hormones, and vitamin D. But when your cholesterol stays unhealthy too long, you’re at high risk of having serious health problems.

There are many causes of high cholesterol. For some people, genetic conditions such as familial hypercholesterolemia cause high cholesterol no matter how healthy their diet, exercise habits, or other lifestyle choices are. There are some medical conditions that can also affect your cholesterol levels:

- An unhealthy diet with high levels of saturated fat (red meat, cream and other full-fat dairy products, butter, cheese, cookies, cakes, and other baked goods)
- Fried foods
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Alcohol use
- Lack of exercise
- Age
- High blood pressure
- Family history of stroke or heart disease
- Chronic kidney disease
- HIV/AIDS
- Hypothyroidism
- Lupus
- Birth control pills

Possible symptoms of high cholesterol: 

- High blood pressure
- Blood clots
- Stroke
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
- Coronary heart disease

Be sure you’re seeing your doctor for regular checkups. If your cholesterol is increasing too much, you may have to control it with lifestyle changes. Your doctor might suggest you:

- Drop extra pounds
- Get more exercise
- Stop smoking and using alcohol products
- Lower the stress in your life
- Lower your cholesterol by eating healthily (less salt, reduce animal fats in your diet, more unsaturated fats, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains)

If lifestyle changes don’t lower your numbers enough, your doctor may recommend you take cholesterol-lowering medications:

- Statin drugs
- Hormone replacement therapy for menopause
- Other medications to lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides


Ask the community of doctors and other healthcare professionals for your health queries.