The Martin Hopkins method replaces the fixed triglyceride divisor of five with an adjustable factor, giving a more accurate LDL when triglycerides are high or LDL is low.
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- Risk spectrum with your position marked
- Reference ranges from the original publication
- Shareable link, nothing stored
Scientific references
Why the old formula fails
Friedewald divides triglycerides by five for everyone. In reality the share of cholesterol inside VLDL varies, so the fixed divisor underestimates LDL when triglycerides climb above 150 and LDL drops below 70, exactly where accuracy matters most.
The adjustable factor
This tool applies a practical three tier version of the Martin Hopkins factor, using 6.5 for triglycerides under 100, 5.5 up to 200 and 4.5 above, matching the direction of the published 180 cell table.
Understanding your result
- Under 100 mg/dL is optimal for most adults
- 100 to 129 is near optimal
- 130 to 159 is borderline high
- 160 or more is high
When to prefer it
Any nonfasting panel, triglycerides between 150 and 400, or an LDL near a treatment threshold is a case for this method over Friedewald.