How it's calculated
mg/dL = mmol/L × factor
factor = molar-mass conversion per analyte (glucose 18.0156, cholesterol 38.67, triglycerides 88.57, creatinine 11.312, urea 2.801, …). Reverse: mmol/L = mg/dL ÷ factor.
Common values
| Analyte | mmol/L to mg/dL factor |
|---|---|
| Glucose | ×18 |
| Cholesterol | ×38.67 |
| Triglycerides | ×88.57 |
| Creatinine | ×11.31 |
| Urea/BUN | ×2.8 |
Common questions
Why do lab units differ by country?
Most countries report in SI units (mmol/L), while the US uses mg/dL. The two describe the same result with different scales.
Why does each analyte use a different factor?
The factor depends on the molecular weight of the substance, so glucose, cholesterol, and creatinine each convert with their own number.