BSA & LDL Cholesterol Calculator
Estimate clinically vital metrics: Body Surface Area (BSA) via Mosteller & DuBois, and LDL Cholesterol via the Friedewald equation.
LDL mode uses the Friedewald equation and flags high triglycerides where direct LDL testing is usually preferred.
Medical disclaimer: Results are educational estimates only. BSA formulas are not dosing orders, and calculated LDL-C should be interpreted with the full lipid panel, fasting status, triglyceride level, and clinician guidance.
Clinical Measurement Profile
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Body Surface Area (BSA) used for?
BSA represents the total surface area of a human body. In clinical medicine, it is preferred over weight for calculating dosages of chemotherapy drugs, indexing cardiac output, and determining renal clearance metrics.
How does the Friedewald equation calculate LDL?
The formula is LDL = Total Cholesterol - HDL - (Triglycerides / 5). It estimates the amount of cholesterol carried by low-density lipoproteins (LDL) by subtracting the cholesterol in HDL and VLDL (approximated as Triglycerides divided by 5).
When is the Friedewald equation inaccurate?
When blood triglyceride levels are extremely high (>= 400 mg/dL), the ratio of triglycerides to cholesterol in VLDL particles shifts, causing the formula to underestimate LDL. Direct LDL laboratory assays are recommended in such cases.