What are mg/dl and mmol/l? How to convert? Glucose? Cholesterol?

There are two main methods of describing concentrations: by weight, and
by molecular count. Weights are in grams, molecular counts in moles. (If you
really want to know, a mole is 6.023*10^23 molecules.) In both cases, the
unit is usually modified by milli- or micro- or other prefix, and is always
"per" some volume, often a liter.

This means that the conversion factor depends on the molecular weight of the
substance in question.
mmol/l is millimoles/liter, and is the world standard unit for measuring
glucose in blood. Specifically, it is the designated SI (Systeme
International) unit. "World standard", of course, means that mmol/L is used
everywhere in the world except in the US.

mg/dl (milligrams/deciliter) is the traditional unit for measuring bG (blood
glucose). Most discussions take place using mg/dl, and no one really
expects you to pull out your calculator to compose your article. However, if
you don't quote both units, it's inevitable that many readers will have to
pull out their calculators to read it. ( I learned this the hard way).

To convert mmol/l of glucose to mg/dl, multiply by 18.
To convert mg/dl of glucose to mmol/l, divide by 18 or multiply by 0.055.

mmol/l ---mg/dl--- interpretation
2.0 -------35 ------extremely low, danger of unconciousness
3.0 -------55 ------low, marginal insulin reaction
4.0 -------75 ------slightly low, first symptoms of lethargy etc.
5.5 -------100 -----mecca
5 - 6 ---90-110 ----normal preprandial in nondiabetics
8.0 ------150------ normal postprandial in nondiabetics
10.0 -----180------ maximum postprandial in nondiabetics
11.0 -----200
15.0------270------ a little high to very high depending on patient
16.5 ------300
20.0 -----360------ getting up there
22 -------400------ max mg/dl for some meters and strips
33 -------600 ------high danger of severe electrolyte imbalance

More conversions:
To convert mmol/l of HDL or LDL cholesterol to mg/dl, multiply by 39.
To convert mg/dl of HDL or LDL cholesterol to mmol/l, divide by 39.
To convert mmol/l of triglycerides to mg/dl, multiply by 89.
To convert mg/dl of triglycerides to mmol/l, divide by 89.
To convert umol (micromoles) /l of creatinine to mg/dl, divide by 88.
To convert mg/dl of creatinine to umol/l, multiply by 88.




post courtesy of FAQs.org