Cholesterol levels in the blood are measured differently in the United States than in other areas of the world, specifically Europe. In the U.S., mg/dL, or milligrams per decileter of blood, is the standard measurement. The world standard for measurement is millimols per liter of blood, or mmol/L. Converting between the two measurement standards can be performed through a simple mathematical equation.
Step 1
Determine if your cholesterol level is being measured in mg/dL or mmol/L. This can be as simple as knowing the location the measurement was taken since measurement units are used in specific locations around the world. Another way to determine is by the numbers themselves. Cholesterol levels measured as mmol/L are very low numbers, often one through seven. On the other hand, mg/dL values are often over 100.
Step 2
Convert the LDL and HDL cholesterol values. If you are converting from mmol/L to mg/dL, multiply both values by 39. If converting from mg/dL to mmol/L, divide both values by 39.
For example, if my mg/dL LDL cholesterol level is 123 and HDL level is 43, divide those numbers by 39 to find that your LDL cholesterol level in mmol/L is 3.15 and HDL level is 1.1.
Conversely, if my mmol/L LDL cholesterol level is 3.15 and HDL level is 1.1, multiply those numbers by 39 to find that your LDL cholesterol level in mmol/L is 123 and HDL level is 43.
Step 3
Convert the triglyceride value. If you are converting from mmol/L to mg/dL, multiply the number by 89. If converting from mg/dL to mmol/L, divide the number by 89.
For example, if my mg/dL triglyceride level is 148, divide that number by 89 to find the triglyceride level in mmol/L is 1.66.
Conversely, if my mmol/L triglyceride level is 1.66, multiply that number by 89 to find the triglyceride level in mg/dL is 148.
Step 4
Convert the blood glucose value. If you are converting from mmol/L to mg/dL, multiply the number by 18. If converting from mg/dL to mmol/L, divide the number by 18.
For example, if my mg/dL triglyceride level is 106, divide that number by 18 to find the triglyceride level in mmol/L is 5.9.
Conversely, if my mmol/L triglyceride level is 5.9, multiply that number by 18 to find the triglyceride level in mg/dL is 106.
