Getting Started
Indices
Inflammation
Bone and mineral
Glucose and insulin
Lipids
Nerve and blood vessel
Oxidative stress and fibrosis
Kidney and protein
Cartilage
MDA
Malondialdehyde
High
4.6µmol·L⁻¹Ref 1–3.5 µmol·L⁻¹
Z +3.76↑ Bad
The card shows an example result of 4.6 µmol·L⁻¹, which is 3.76 SD above the mean.
What it measures
Malondialdehyde forms when free radicals damage fats in cell membranes. Its level reflects how much oxidative damage is happening.
Reference range
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | MDA |
| Group | Oxidative stress and fibrosis |
| Unit | µmol·L⁻¹ |
| Healthy range | 1–3.5 |
| Mean | 2.25 |
| SD | 0.625 |
| Direction | ↑ Bad — a raised value is the concern. |
The mean is (low + high) / 2 and the SD is (high − low) / 4, so the healthy range covers Z from −2 to +2.
Reading the result
- High — Suggests oxidative stress, as seen with smoking, poorly controlled diabetes, and chronic inflammation.
- Low — Not a concern.
Notes
- The common TBARS test also picks up other substances, so results vary by method.
- This page is general information, not medical advice. Discuss results with a clinician.