Laboratory Test Reference Guide

Laboratory Information

Test Name

Cholesterol (LDL) (Calculated)

Synonyms

LDL

Specimen Collection

Adult Specimen

Heparin (light green), SST (gold), "T-" labs SST (gold)

Paediatric Specimen

0.3 ml Heparin (light green) or Plain(red).

Test Information

Department

Biochemistry

Test Availability

Mon - Sun, 24hrs

Laboratory Turnaround Time

3 hrs

Method

Calculated result: Sampson equation

Unit of measurement

mmol/L

Additional Information

LDL was previously calculated from triglyceride, cholesterol and HDL cholesterol using the Friedewald formula.
As from 16 May 2022, LDL is calculated using the Sampson equation.

The Friedwald equation has been used to calculate LDL since 1972. Friedewald knew that with increasing triglyceride levels, the calculated LDL-C was progressively falsely lower when compared with the gold standard technique and therefore Friedewald stated LDL-C should not be calculated when triglycerides are > 4.5 mmol/L. With much lower LDL-C levels seen in the statin era, an improved calculation was required, hence the Sampson equation.

Comparing both equations with the gold standard ultracentrifugation method, Sampson LDL-C offers similar or better accuracy than Friedewald LDL-C at any triglyceride level. Sampson LDL-C can also be calculated up to a triglyceride level of 9 mmol/L.

Friedewald: LDL-C = TC – HDL-C – Triglycerides/2.2

Sampson: LDL-C=TC/0.948−HDL-C/0.971−(TG/8.56+TG × non-HDL-C/2140 −TG2/16100)−9.44

The calculation for the Sampson equation is complicated but  Friedewald LDL-C can be (easily) calculated from the available lipid results if required.

 

Minimum Volume

0.1 mL heparin plasma or serum.

Electronic Information

Registration Code

LDL

HL7 mapping code

$LDL

LOINC Code

39469-2