What is the difference between MELD, MELD-Na, and MELD 3.0?

Original MELD (2001) uses creatinine, bilirubin, and INR. MELD-Na (2016) adds serum sodium. MELD 3.0 (2022) further adds a +1.33 sex-based adjustment for female patients to correct a documented survival disparity on the waitlist.

What score triggers transplant listing?

UNOS/OPTN uses MELD ≥ 15 as a threshold where transplant benefit generally exceeds risk. Higher scores (≥ 25–30) indicate high urgency. Exact policies vary by transplant center and region.

What are the input value limits used in the formula?

Creatinine is clamped to 1.0–3.0 mg/dL; bilirubin to ≥ 1.0 mg/dL; INR to ≥ 1.0; sodium to 125–137 mmol/L. Values outside these ranges are clamped before calculation per the published MELD 3.0 methodology.

Is this calculator a substitute for clinical judgment?

No. This tool is for educational and informational purposes only. Organ allocation decisions must be made by qualified transplant teams using official UNOS/OPTN systems and complete clinical context.

How is the 90-day mortality estimate derived?

The mortality ranges shown are published approximations from the original MELD validation literature. MELD 3.0 was validated to improve predictive accuracy vs MELD-Na, but exact per-score mortality varies by patient population and era.

MELD 3.0 Score Calculator

Name: MELD 3.0 Score Calculator
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

Enter lab values to calculate the MELD 3.0 score for liver transplant waitlist prioritization.

Lab Values

Serum Creatinine (mg/dL)

Clamped to 1.0–3.0 mg/dL per formula

Total Bilirubin (mg/dL)

Minimum clamped to 1.0 mg/dL per formula

INR (International Normalized Ratio)

Minimum clamped to 1.0 per formula

Serum Sodium (mmol/L)

Clamped to 125–137 mmol/L per formula

Sex Assigned at Birth

Male Female (+1.33 adjustment)

Clinical Disclaimer: This calculator is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice or replace clinical judgment. Organ allocation must be performed through official UNOS/OPTN systems by qualified transplant professionals.

Summary