How this tool works

The Lipid Panel Translator runs every number you enter through the American Heart Association's 2026 dyslipidemia guidance, the European Society of Cardiology / EAS 2021 thresholds (which the AHA references for ApoB), and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society 2021 thresholds for Lp(a). Where the AHA publishes a specific number, we use it. Where the AHA defers (notably for ApoB cutoffs), we cite the source explicitly so you know exactly where each interpretation comes from. The full set of thresholds and citations lives on the methodology page.

Every calculation runs in your browser. No numbers are transmitted, logged, or stored. If you choose to email yourself a printable PDF, that's the only moment any data leaves your device — and we send the report and never sell or share what you entered.

How to read your results

Each marker comes back with a short status badge and a plain-English interpretation. The badges aren't traffic lights. "Above target" doesn't mean you should panic, and "Optimal" doesn't mean you can ignore the marker forever. They're framing devices to help you understand where the AHA's targets sit relative to your number — and the body text explains what shifts the interpretation in your specific case.

The most important thing this tool does is integrate markers. An LDL of 145 reads differently if your ApoB is 105 than if it's 75. A "normal-looking" panel with elevated Lp(a) is a different story than one without. The interactive translator is built to surface those interactions; the discordance checker is the focused version of the LDL-vs-ApoB question if that's the specific tension you're trying to resolve.

If you don't have all the numbers

That's fine. The translator will read whatever subset you give it. The minimum useful input is LDL alone — though the picture sharpens dramatically once you add ApoB and Lp(a). If your standard lipid panel didn't include those, both can be requested at any major lab; our explainer on ApoB vs LDL covers why ApoB matters even when LDL looks normal, and the Lp(a) primer covers why a one-time test is worth pushing for.

If you're a woman in perimenopause or postmenopause, set the menopause stage in the form — LDL typically rises 10–15% across the transition, and the translator notes that context so you don't over-interpret a temporary lipid shift as a permanent change.

Frequently asked

Is this a substitute for talking to my doctor?
No. It's a tool to help you walk into your next appointment understanding your own numbers and prepared to ask better questions. Bring your panel, the translator's PDF if you generated one, and a list of any family history relevant to early heart disease.

Why doesn't the AHA publish a fixed cutoff table anymore?
Because cardiovascular risk is multifactorial. The AHA's modern position is that a single LDL number doesn't tell you what to do — it has to be interpreted alongside ApoB, Lp(a), blood pressure, family history, and existing disease. The translator implements that integrated framing rather than the old one-size-fits-all bands.

What if I disagree with the interpretation?
Disagreement is a useful signal — write down what doesn't match your understanding and bring it to your clinician. The translator is opinionated within the bounds of guideline evidence; it doesn't replace clinical judgment for your specific case. Our follow-up appointment guide has the questions worth asking.

Educational tool. Not medical advice. Interpretation rules cite the 2026 AHA/ACC dyslipidemia guidelines, 2021 ESC dyslipidaemia guidelines, and CCS lipid guidelines. See methodology for full citations and reviewer credentials. Always discuss results with a clinician who knows your full history.