The Model for End-stage Liver Disease predicts 90-day survival in cirrhosis and decides priority on the liver transplant waiting list. MELD 3.0 adds female sex and albumin to correct a disadvantage that women faced with earlier versions.
How to use the MELD Score Calculator
- Sex
- Bilirubin
- INR
- Creatinine
- Sodium
- Albumin
- Dialysis twice or more in the past week
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
Enter the laboratory values and whether the patient has had dialysis at least twice in the past week.
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Sex | Choose one: Male, Female |
| Bilirubin | Units: mg/dL, µmol/L |
| INR | A number |
| Creatinine | Units: mg/dL, µmol/L |
| Sodium | In mmol/L |
| Albumin | Units: g/dL, g/L |
| Dialysis twice or more in the past week | Choose one: No, Yes |
Example values
How the main result changes when Bilirubin changes and everything else stays at the example values above:
| Bilirubin (mg/dL) | MELD 3.0 |
|---|---|
| 1.25 | 18 |
| 1.88 | 19 |
| 2.5 | 20 |
| 3.13 | 21 |
| 3.75 | 22 |
| 5 | 23 |
Health note: this calculator is for education and screening only and is not a diagnosis or treatment advice. Discuss your results with a qualified clinician.
Formula
MELD 3.0 = 1.33 (female) + 4.56 ln(bili) + 0.82 (137 − Na) − 0.24 (137 − Na) ln(bili) + 9.09 ln(INR) + 11.14 ln(Cr) + 1.85 (3.5 − Alb) − 1.83 (3.5 − Alb) ln(Cr) + 6
Original MELD = 10 × (0.957 ln Cr + 0.378 ln bili + 1.120 ln INR + 0.643)
MELD-Na = MELD + 1.32 (137 − Na) − 0.033 × MELD × (137 − Na)
Bounds: bili, INR, Cr ≥ 1; Cr ≤ 3 for MELD 3.0 (≤ 4 for original MELD and MELD-Na); dialysis twice in the past week sets Cr to the cap; Na 125–137; Alb 1.5–3.5
Worked example
Inputs — Sex: Male; Bilirubin: 2.5 mg/dL; INR: 1.6; Creatinine: 1.2 mg/dL; Sodium: 132 mmol/L; Albumin: 3 g/dL; Dialysis twice or more in the past week: No.
Results — MELD 3.0 = 20; Original MELD = 17; MELD-Na = 21; Estimated 90-day mortality = About 20%.
Key terms
- MELD
- Model for End-stage Liver Disease.
Frequently asked questions
What MELD score qualifies for a liver transplant?
Listing is usually considered at MELD 15 or more, when transplant survival benefit outweighs risk.
Why was MELD 3.0 introduced?
To reduce the disadvantage women faced (lower creatinine for the same kidney function) and to add albumin.
What is the maximum MELD?
Scores are capped at 40.