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AMA LDL Reference Range Levels

Apr 5, 2011 | By Gail Morris

Cholesterol is not a bad thing. Your body needs cholesterol to stay healthy. Cholesterol is manufactured in your body, but you also obtain it from food . There are two different types of cholesterol: the "good" HDL cholesterol and the "bad" LDL cholesterol. When you have a cholesterol screening, the physician will measure your HDL, LDL and triglyceride levels as one factor to determine your risk for coronary vascular disease. While your body requires both types of cholesterol, it is the function of the HDL cholesterol to keep be LDL cholesterol from lodging on the arterial walls and causing damage.

Function of Cholesterol

Cholesterol plays several vital functions to your health. Because cholesterol is not water-soluble, it is transported through the body on lipoproteins. Cholesterol performs critical functions in the body such as the synthesis of bile acids, essential for fat absorption. It is required to produce vitamin D with sun exposure and it is an essential building block of cell membranes, providing structural support.

Function of LDL

Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL cholesterol, is used to transport cholesterol from the liver into the body tissues, which will incorporate it into cell membranes. The high density lipoprotein, or HDL cholesterol, carries the used cholesterol back to the liver for excretion or recycling. When LDL cholesterol levels are too high, they can cause plaque buildup on the arterial walls, clog arteries and increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.

LDL Levels

Cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams of cholesterol per deciliter of blood. Blood levels of LDL cholesterol in the general population may range between below 70 mg/dL to above 190 mg/dL, according to MayoClinic.com. LDL cholesterol is usually the main focus of cholesterol lowering treatments; your target number may vary as a result of any underlying medical conditions and risk of heart disease. In general, physicians recommend that the lower the level of LDL cholesterol, the lower your risk of heart disease.

AMA Recommendations

According to AmedNews.com from the American Medical Association, federal guidelines for the treatment of patient cholesterol levels were changed in mid-2004. Based on scientific research, changes were made to clinical practice guidelines. Current recommendations are that individuals who are at very high risk for heart attack should keep their LDL cholesterol below 70 mg/dL. Those patients who are at high risk have a goal of less than 100 mg/dL. The AMA recommends treatment options for lowering LDL cholesterol to below 100 mg/dL for individuals who have a moderately high risk and to use drug therapy if the level ranges between 100 to 129 mg/dL. Individuals who are at high or moderately high risk for heart attack should also consider lifestyle related changes to lower their LDL levels.

References

Article reviewed by Mia Paul Last updated on: Apr 5, 2011

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