Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood (serum)
- Fasting: 9–12 hours required
- Turn-around: 7–14 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delay.
Benefits
- Goes beyond standard cholesterol - Measures particle numbers and sizes that traditional tests miss
- Identifies hidden cardiovascular risk - Detects 50% of at-risk individuals with "normal" cholesterol
- Gold standard accuracy - Uses analytical ultracentrifugation for precise measurements
- Actionable insights - Pattern A/B classification guides personalized treatment decisions
- Convenient access - No physician referral required for proactive heart health monitoring
- Comprehensive assessment - Evaluates 12 lipoprotein subclasses including atherogenic particles
Who Is This Test For?
- Family history - Individuals with relatives who experienced early heart disease
- Metabolic concerns - People with diabetes, metabolic syndrome, or insulin resistance
- Statin therapy patients - Those needing optimization beyond standard cholesterol panels
- Normal cholesterol but other risks - Individuals with additional cardiovascular risk factors
- Proactive health seekers - Health-conscious people wanting comprehensive cardiac assessment
- Post-event monitoring - Patients evaluating residual risk after cardiovascular events
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Schedule your blood draw at home or at a convenient lab location
- Advanced analysis - Your sample undergoes gold-standard ultracentrifugation at SpectraCell Labs
- Get results - Receive comprehensive particle profile with Pattern A/B classification in 7-14 days
FAQ
What makes this different from regular cholesterol testing? This test measures the actual number and size of lipoprotein particles carrying cholesterol, not just cholesterol content. Research shows particle number is more predictive of heart disease risk than traditional cholesterol levels (SpectraCell 2024).
Do I need to fast for this test? Yes, you must fast for 9-12 hours before your blood draw, consuming only water during this period. This ensures accurate triglyceride and particle measurements (JustinHealth 2024).
What does Pattern A versus Pattern B mean? Pattern A indicates larger, less dangerous particles while Pattern B shows small, dense particles that are highly atherogenic and increase cardiovascular risk. Pattern B requires more aggressive treatment (PMC 2024).
How accurate is this test? The test uses analytical ultracentrifugation, recognized by the CDC as the gold standard for lipoprotein testing, providing superior accuracy compared to calculated cholesterol values (SpectraCell 2024).
Can this test detect risk in people with normal cholesterol? Yes, approximately 50% of people who experience heart attacks have "normal" cholesterol levels on standard panels. This advanced testing identifies hidden cardiovascular risk (SpectraCell 2024).
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
The Lipoprotein Particle Profile (LPP®) measures both the number and size of lipoprotein particles with precision using gold-standard analytical ultracentrifugation technology. Unlike traditional cholesterol testing that only measures cholesterol content, this test evaluates 12 different lipoprotein particle subclasses to provide comprehensive cardiovascular risk assessment. The test identifies atherogenic particles including small, dense LDL cholesterol, remnant lipoprotein, and lipoprotein(a) that contribute to plaque formation but are often missed by standard panels (SpectraCell 2024).
Who would benefit from this test?
This test is particularly valuable for individuals with family history of heart disease, those with diabetes or metabolic syndrome, and patients on statin therapy requiring treatment optimization. People with borderline cholesterol results, multiple cardiovascular risk factors, or those who have experienced cardiovascular events despite normal cholesterol levels benefit significantly. The test is also recommended for genetic screening of familial hypercholesterolemia and monitoring residual cardiovascular risk (Medline Plus 2024).
When should I order a Lipoprotein Particle Profile, Blood - SpectraCell Test Kit?
Consider ordering this test if you have borderline cholesterol results, multiple cardiovascular risk factors, or family history of early heart disease. The test is valuable when standard lipid panels don't fully explain your cardiovascular risk profile or when monitoring treatment effectiveness beyond traditional cholesterol measurements. Healthcare providers often recommend this test for patients requiring precise cardiovascular risk stratification (Cleveland Clinic 2024).
How do I interpret the results?
Results categorize lipoprotein particles into Pattern A (large, buoyant, less atherogenic) or Pattern B (small, dense, highly atherogenic) phenotypes. The test provides specific particle counts for each lipoprotein subclass with clear normal and abnormal ranges.
LDL Particle Number < 1000 nmol/L
- Risk Level: Optimal
- Low cardiovascular risk
LDL Particle Number 1000–1299 nmol/L
- Risk Level: Borderline
- Moderate risk requiring monitoring
LDL Particle Number 1300–1599 nmol/L
- Risk Level: High
- Increased risk needing intervention
LDL Particle Number ≥ 1600 nmol/L
- Risk Level: Very High
- Significant risk requiring aggressive treatment
Pattern B phenotype occurs in approximately 30% of men and 15% of women, significantly increasing cardiovascular risk regardless of total cholesterol levels.
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.
Pre-test preparation
Fast for 9-12 hours before blood collection, consuming only water during the fasting period. Maintain your regular medications unless specifically instructed otherwise by healthcare providers. Avoid alcohol consumption 24 hours prior to testing and refrain from vigorous exercise on the day of collection. Schedule your blood draw Monday through Friday only, as SpectraCell processes samples Tuesday through Saturday.
How often should I get tested?
- Baseline screening (low risk): Every 2–3 years
- Pattern B or elevated particles: Every 6–12 months
- On statin therapy: Every 6 months initially, then annually
- Lifestyle interventions: Every 3–6 months to monitor progress
- High cardiovascular risk: Every 6 months or as directed
Why early detection matters
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death, killing 680,981 people in 2023 with coronary artery disease affecting approximately 5% of adults aged 20 and older (CDC 2024). Traditional cholesterol testing misses approximately 50% of people at risk for heart attacks who have "normal" cholesterol levels. Research demonstrates that lipoprotein particle number increases cardiovascular risk by 28% with each standard deviation increment, making early detection through advanced testing critical for prevention (PubMed 2024). The economic impact of heart disease costs the United States approximately $417.9 billion annually, highlighting the substantial benefit of early detection strategies.
Related tests you may consider
Comprehensive Micronutrient Test- Assesses functional vitamin, mineral, and antioxidant status that directly impacts cardiovascular health and lipoprotein metabolism, providing nutritional foundation for heart disease prevention (SpectraCell Micronutrient Test).
High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) - Measures systemic inflammation, a key driver of atherosclerosis that works synergistically with atherogenic particles to increase cardiovascular risk.
Lipoprotein(a) Test - For focused assessment of this genetic cardiovascular risk factor affecting 20% of the population, particularly valuable when family history suggests inherited lipid disorders.
