Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood
- Fasting: Fasting for at least 12-14 hours is required
- Turnaround: 3-4 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
What's Included
Core Lipid Panel
- Cholesterol, Total: Measures the total amount of cholesterol circulating in your blood.
- HDL-C: Measures your HDL ("good") cholesterol level.
- LDL-C (NIH Calc): Calculates your LDL ("bad") cholesterol using the NIH formula.
- Triglycerides: Measures the level of triglycerides, a type of fat, in your blood.
LDL Particle Measures
- LDL-P: Directly measures the total number of LDL particles in your blood.
- Small LDL-P: Measures the number of small, dense LDL particles specifically.
- LDL Size: Measures the average size of your LDL particles.
HDL Particle Measures
Particle and Metabolic Insights
- LDL and HDL Particles: Provides combined particle-level detail for both LDL and HDL.
- LP-IR Score: Reflects patterns associated with insulin resistance based on lipoprotein data.
Benefits
- Measures LDL particle number, not just LDL cholesterol levels.
- Provides direct measurement of LDL and HDL particle subclasses.
- Offers deeper insight than a standard cholesterol panel alone.
- Supports more individualized cardiovascular risk conversations.
- Includes an insulin resistance related score (LP-IR).
Who Is This Test For?
- People with diabetes who want deeper lipid particle insight.
- People with a personal history of heart attack.
- People with a family history of heart attack.
- People with high blood pressure who track cardiovascular risk.
- People managing overweight, obesity, or metabolic syndrome.
- People with low HDL or high triglycerides on prior panels.
How It Works
- Order Your Test Online
- Visit a Local Lab
- Get Results Online
FAQ
1. What is the purpose of this test?
This panel goes beyond a standard cholesterol check by directly measuring LDL and HDL particle number and size. It combines core lipid values (total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, triglycerides) with particle level detail (LDL-P, Small LDL-P, LDL Size, HDL-P) and an insulin resistance related score (LP-IR). Together, these measures give you and your healthcare provider a more detailed view of cardiovascular related patterns than cholesterol numbers alone. This test does not diagnose any condition on its own.
2. Who would benefit from this test, and when should I order it?
This test may be useful if you have diabetes, a personal or family history of heart attack, high blood pressure, overweight or obesity, cardiometabolic risk, metabolic syndrome, low HDL, or high triglycerides. It can also be helpful if your cholesterol levels appear normal but you want a more detailed picture of particle level patterns. You may consider ordering it if you are managing known cardiovascular risk factors, or if you want to monitor changes alongside diet, exercise, or other lifestyle efforts.
3. Do I need to fast before this test?
Yes, fasting for at least 12-14 hours is required before this test.
4. How quickly will I get results?
Results are typically available in 3-4 days (may take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays).
5. How do I interpret the results?
Rather than looking at a single number, it's often more meaningful to look at patterns across your biomarkers, such as particle number, particle size, and your calculated cholesterol values together. Your healthcare provider is best positioned to help you interpret what these patterns mean for you.
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
6. What should I do if my results are abnormal?
Share your results with your healthcare provider, who can review them alongside your personal health history and determine whether any follow up or next steps are appropriate for you.
7. How often should I get tested?
Testing frequency depends on your individual health history and risk factors. Talk with your healthcare provider about how often this panel makes sense for you, and follow their guidance for retesting.
8. Why does early detection matter?
Because this panel measures particle number and size directly, it may help surface patterns that a standard cholesterol panel alone would not show. Reviewing these patterns with your healthcare provider over time may support more informed, ongoing conversations about your cardiovascular related health.
Pre-test preparation
Fasting for at least 12-14 hours is required.
