Depository: Real Reference Ranges for Lab results

[member11823]

Hello, let's create a list of the correct reference values so we can properly analyze the laboratory results.

Let me start:

Cholesterol

• Before Statins (pre-1980s):
  Reference values were broader and based on population averages. Total cholesterol >240 mg/dL (>6.2 mmol/L) was considered high, and treatment relied on diet and lifestyle changes.
• After Statins (1980s onwards):
  Statins lowered LDL cholesterol effectively, prompting stricter targets:
  • LDL (bad cholesterol): Targets shifted from <160 mg/dL (<4.1 mmol/L) to <130 mg/dL (<3.4 mmol/L), then <100 mg/dL (<2.6 mmol/L), and eventually <70 mg/dL (<1.8 mmol/L) for high-risk patients.
  • Total cholesterol: Reference values were lowered to <200 mg/dL (<5.2 mmol/L).
• Modern Guidelines (Recent Decades):
  Reference values became individualized based on cardiovascular risk:
  • <70 mg/dL (<1.8 mmol/L) LDL for very high-risk individuals (e.g., heart disease, diabetes).
  • <100 mg/dL (<2.6 mmol/L) LDL for moderate-risk individuals.