If you need to know which are the LDL cholesterol reference ranges or you require more information about the role of LDL cholesterol in the blood, you can visit normal LDL cholesterol level in the blood
In general, a low LDL cholesterol level, also known as the “Bad” cholesterol, is positive because the risk to suffer a cardiovascular disease (heart attack, stroke) is low.
Under medication, it is possible to reduce the LDL cholesterol to 20 mg/dl with no side effects.
However, it is necessary to have a certain amount of LDL cholesterol for a proper functioning of the body. A low LDL cholesterol level in the blood is related to depression and anxiety. If LDL cholesterol is low during pregnancy, it is more probably a preterm birth or a low birth weight infant.
LDL Cholesterol values are usually given in mg/dl but sometimes you can see those values in mmol/l following the International System of Units (SI). In case your values are in mmol/l you can convert them using this tool:
LDL cholesterol levels are a bit low.
If you are taking cholesterol-lowering drugs, maybe you should cut down on the dose, if your doctor considers it appropriate. Cholesterol-lowering drugs may have side effects on kidney and liver.
If you are not taking cholesterol-lowering drugs the cause may be an unbalanced diet with low intake of fats.
The LDL cholesterol level is very low. If you are not taking cholesterol-lowering drugs, it may be a sign of a genetic disorder. There are some diseases that can be related to such a low value like abetalipoproteinemia or hypobetalipoproteinemia but they are not very common.
You should visit your doctor because marked LDL hypocholesterolemia may be caused by an underlying disease that should be diagnosed.
To suffer a particular health situation or taking some drugs can reduce your LDL cholesterol level in the blood:
The following diseases can explain a LDL cholesterol level in the blood lower than normal:
If your LDL cholesterol level in the blood is a bit low, you can consider the following tips:
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The following values are considered to be below the normal range:
IMPORTANT: These levels are expressed in mg/dl. They are an example of a healthy man of about 45 years old with no known disease and not taking any medication. The ranges can be different depending on the laboratory or on your personal circumstances.
LDL Cholesterol | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moderate LDL hypocholesterolemia | |||||||
| 24 mg/dl | 23 mg/dl | 22 mg/dl | 21 mg/dl | 20 mg/dl | 19 mg/dl | 18 mg/dl | 17 mg/dl |
| 16 mg/dl | 15 mg/dl | 14 mg/dl | 13 mg/dl | 12 mg/dl | 11 mg/dl | 10 mg/dl | |
| Marked LDL hypocholesterolemia | |||||||
| 9 mg/dl | 8 mg/dl | 7 mg/dl | 6 mg/dl | 5 mg/dl | 4 mg/dl | 3 mg/dl | 2 mg/dl |
| 1 mg/dl | 0 mg/dl | ||||||