MELD / MELD-Na Calculator (Mayo-style clinical formula)
Enter recent lab values to estimate MELD and MELD-Na. This tool is for education and discussion with your care team.
Medical disclaimer: This calculator does not diagnose disease and is not a substitute for professional medical judgment.
What is the MELD score?
MELD stands for Model for End-Stage Liver Disease. It is a numerical score used to estimate short-term mortality risk in people with advanced liver disease and to support liver transplant prioritization. The score is based on objective lab values rather than symptoms alone.
In many medical settings, patients and families look for a “Mayo MELD score calculator” because the score was developed and validated through major clinical research, including work associated with the Mayo Clinic. Today, MELD and MELD-Na are widely used frameworks in hepatology and transplant medicine.
How this calculator works
This page calculates two values:
- MELD: based on bilirubin, INR, and creatinine.
- MELD-Na: adjusts MELD by sodium level, which improves risk prediction in many patients.
Formula used (classic MELD)
MELD = 3.78 × ln(bilirubin) + 11.2 × ln(INR) + 9.57 × ln(creatinine) + 6.43
- Any bilirubin, INR, or creatinine value below 1.0 is set to 1.0.
- Creatinine is capped at 4.0 mg/dL.
- If dialysis has occurred at least twice in the last week, creatinine is set to 4.0 mg/dL.
Formula used (MELD-Na)
MELD-Na = MELD + 1.32 × (137 − Na) − [0.033 × MELD × (137 − Na)]
- Sodium is limited to the range 125–137 mEq/L for calculation.
- Final reported scores are typically bounded from 6 to 40.
Interpreting results
Higher scores indicate higher short-term risk. MELD and MELD-Na are not stand-alone treatment decisions; clinicians combine them with diagnosis, complications, imaging, physical findings, and trajectory over time.
- Lower score range: generally lower immediate mortality risk.
- Middle score range: moderate risk; close monitoring is common.
- Higher score range: significant risk and urgent specialist management.
Why people search for “meld score calculator mayo”
Many users want a reliable, clinically grounded calculator. “Mayo” is often used in searches as a shorthand for trusted medical methodology. This tool mirrors commonly used MELD/MELD-Na math and input handling, but your transplant center may apply specific policy updates or local protocols.
Frequently asked questions
Is MELD the same as MELD-Na?
No. MELD-Na incorporates sodium and often predicts mortality risk better than MELD alone.
Do small lab changes affect score meaningfully?
Yes. Because the formula uses logarithms and multiple factors, small shifts can change the score, especially near clinical thresholds.
Can I use this for children?
Pediatric liver disease may use different systems (such as PELD) and pediatric specialist interpretation. Use age-appropriate tools and clinician guidance.
How often should MELD be recalculated?
As often as clinically indicated—typically when new labs are available or the patient’s status changes. Follow your hepatologist’s or transplant team’s schedule.
Bottom line
A MELD score calculator is useful for understanding liver disease severity trends, but it should always be paired with professional interpretation. Use this page to prepare for informed conversations with your hepatology or transplant team, not to self-manage high-risk conditions alone.