Converting from mmol/L to mg/dL
Many medical laboratories, medical reports, and research results in the USA report many blood test results using mg/dL units. Most countries (for example, Canada and the UK) report blood test results using SI (Systeme International) units. This page provides conversion factors from SI units to the units used in the USA for common blood components.  

Common conversion factors

Blood component
SI unit s
Conversion factor (multiply)
USA unit
Range
Unit
Albumin
-
g/L
0.1
g/dL
Cholesterol
<5.2
mmol/L
38.61
mg/dL
Cholesterol/HDL
3.50-5.00
-
-
-
Creatinine
60-120
umol/L
0.0113
mg/dL
Glucose
<6.0
mmol/L
18.02
mg/dL
HbA1c
<6.0
proportion of total Hb
100
% of total Hb
HDL
0.9-1.60
mmol/L
38.61
mg/dL
LDL
2.00-3.40
mmol/L
38.61
mg/dL
Magnesium
-
mmol/L
2.43
mg/dL
Potassium
3.6-5.2
mmol/L
1.0
mEq/L
Protein
-
g/L
0.1
g/dL
Testosterone
8.0-38.0
nmol/L
28.82
ng/dL
Triglycerides
<2.30
mmol/L
88.5
mg/dL

Conversion examples:
1. Glucose: 7.5mmol/L x 18.02 = 135.15mg/dL
2. LDL: 3.4mmol/L x 38.61 = 131.27mg/dL
3. Triglycerides: 1.28mmol/L x 88.5 = 113.28mg/dL

Conversion factor source: see http://jama.ama-assn.org/info/auinst_si.html

Updated: March 12, 2003