Lipoprotein Particle Profile Plus
Go beyond your cholesterol number. See the particles that carry it, sorted by size and density.
- Sample
- Two tubes after a 9–12 hour fast
- Results
- About 11 business days
- Report
- 19 results and a particle profile
For personal testing
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Not available for direct purchase in CA, MD, MA, NJ, NY, PA or RI. SpectraCell does not test New York residents.
What the test measures
Cholesterol and fats travel through your blood inside tiny particles called lipoproteins. This test sorts them by size and density, then counts each kind. Select a particle to see what it is.
About 20 to 21 nm
Small, dense LDL
More common when triglycerides are high and HDL is low.
How it's reported
A standard panel
Part of LDL cholesterol
one number for all LDL
This test
Dense LDL III
its own count
Drag along the particles, or tap one. The report also includes a standard cholesterol panel and six more tests, 19 results in all.
Drawn to scale, with sizes in nanometers (nm) from the report's particle graph. Lp(a) is measured separately, as part of this test.
Show all 19 as a list
Particle numbers · nmol/L
- VLDL particles
- Remnant lipoprotein
- Total LDL particles
- Dense LDL III
- Dense LDL IV
- Non-HDL particles
- Total HDL particles
- Buoyant HDL2b
Lipid panel · mg/dL
- Total cholesterol
- Triglycerides
- HDL cholesterol
- LDL cholesterol
- Non-HDL cholesterol
Related markers
Lp(a)
Mostly inherited. Measured separately, as part of this test.
ApoB
One sits on every VLDL, IDL, LDL and Lp(a) particle, so it shows how many of these particles you have.
ApoA1
The main protein on HDL particles.
hs-CRP
A sign of inflammation anywhere in the body. An infection or injury can raise it.
Homocysteine
An amino acid your body recycles with the help of folate, B6 and B12.
Insulin
Measured after fasting. A higher level usually means your body is less sensitive to insulin.
What happens to your blood sample
We spin your sample until the particles that carry cholesterol separate into layers. Then we count how many are in each layer.
Watch the overview video- 1
Two small tubes of blood are drawn after you fast, then shipped overnight to our lab in Houston.
- 2
We spin the liquid part of your blood very fast. The particles settle into layers: light ones near the top, dense ones near the bottom.
- 3
A fluorescent dye makes the particles glow, so we can count how many are in each layer.
- 4
Your sample also gets a standard cholesterol panel and six more tests, including Lp(a) and insulin.
Method details for providers
Serum lipoproteins are labeled with a fluorescent marker and separated by density-gradient ultracentrifugation across the full lipoprotein density range. Particle numbers are reported in nmol/L for VLDL, remnant lipoprotein (VLDL3 and IDL), total LDL, dense LDL III and IV, total HDL and buoyant HDL2b, with non-HDL particles as a total. Lp(a) is measured with a separate assay because its density overlaps LDL and HDL. The report also includes a lipid panel, ApoB, ApoA1, hs-CRP, homocysteine and insulin.
A standard cholesterol test and this test answer different questions
The same amount of cholesterol can ride in a few large particles or in many small ones, so the two results can differ. LPP Plus gives you both.
The same 125 mg/dL rides in about 820 LDL particles
Large particles each carry more cholesterol, so fewer are needed.
What each test reports
Standard panel
125 mg/dL
LDL cholesterol
This test
820 nmol/L
Total LDL particles, within the range (under 900)
This test
1 in 10
small and dense (Dense LDL III + IV)
This test countsLDL particles, by size
A standard panel sees
LDL cholesterol. One number, the same at every size.
Slide the size. Smaller, denser particles each carry less cholesterol, so the same amount needs more of them.
Illustration. The counts are modeled to show the idea, not SpectraCell's reference data, and the particles aren't to scale. 900 nmol/L is the report's range for Total LDL particles.
Common reasons people test
Select a situation to see which results people in it often look at. Whichever you choose, the test reports all 19.
Tap a situation to see the results people often look at.
Results people often look at
4 of the 19 resultsLDL cholesterol looks fine, but triglycerides are high or HDL is low
- Total LDL particles
- Remnant lipoprotein
- Dense LDL III
- Dense LDL IV
Your LDL cholesterol can look normal even when these particle counts are high.
See all 19 in the measures section aboveResults people often look at
2 of the 19 resultsHeart disease, especially early heart disease, runs in your family
- Lp(a)
- ApoB
Lp(a) is mostly inherited, so guidelines suggest measuring it at least once.
See all 19 in the measures section aboveResults people often look at
5 of the 19 resultsPrediabetes, insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes
- Dense LDL III
- Dense LDL IV
- Triglycerides
- Insulin
- ApoB
Insulin resistance often comes with higher triglycerides and smaller, denser LDL particles.
See all 19 in the measures section aboveResults people often look at
3 of the 19 resultsAlready taking cholesterol-lowering medicine
- Total LDL particles
- LDL cholesterol
- ApoB
Keep taking your medicine. Your provider can compare particle counts and ApoB with your LDL cholesterol.
See all 19 in the measures section aboveResults people often look at
6 of the 19 resultsHigh blood pressure, a large waist or other metabolic risk factors
- VLDL particles
- Total HDL particles
- Triglycerides
- HDL cholesterol
- Insulin
- hs-CRP
These risk factors often show up together with high triglycerides and low HDL.
See all 19 in the measures section aboveResults people often look at
All 19 resultsA detailed starting point
- All 19 results
The full profile gives you and your provider a starting point to compare with later.
See all 19 in the measures section aboveThis test doesn't diagnose or treat any condition. Review your results with a healthcare provider.
From order to results
One fasting blood draw, shipped back the same day. Results in about 11 business days.
- Step 1
Order your kit
It comes with collection tubes, packing materials and a prepaid FedEx Priority Overnight label. Before you order, check that you can get a blood draw near you.
- Step 2
Get your blood drawn
Have nothing but water for 9–12 hours first: no coffee. A draw site, clinic or mobile phlebotomist can draw your two tubes.
- Step 3
Ship it the same day
Draw Monday to Friday, but not on or the day before a federal holiday. Send it the same day with the prepaid label.
- Step 4
Get your results
About 11 business days after the lab receives your sample.
Values shown are for illustration only.
Your report, particle by particle
Your 19 results come in three groups. Each one is marked within range, borderline or out of range.
A particle profile graph shows where your particles fall by density. It helps you read the report. The numbers are your results.
Open the sample report (PDF)Common questions
Have another question? Call us at (800) 227-5227, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm Central, or send us a message.
Do I need to fast?
Yes. For 9–12 hours before your blood draw, have nothing but water. That means no coffee, not even black coffee.
Should I stop my cholesterol medicine first?
No. Keep taking it unless your provider tells you otherwise. Tell your provider what you take, because these medicines change the results.
My cholesterol test was normal. Can this test still show something different?
Yes. A regular cholesterol test shows how much cholesterol is in your blood. This test also counts the particles that carry it. The two don't always match.
What is Lp(a), and why test it?
Lp(a) is a particle like LDL with an extra protein attached. How much you have is mostly inherited, so guidelines suggest measuring it at least once.
What does the particle graph on my report show?
Where your particles fall by density, from large, light VLDL to small, dense HDL. It's a picture to help you read the report. The numbers are your results.
Why might my results differ from another lab's?
Labs use different methods and reference ranges, so the same result can read differently from one lab to another.
How often should I retest?
Retesting is a decision for you and your healthcare provider. Some people retest a few months after a change in treatment to compare results.
Can children be tested?
The reference ranges on the report are for adults. Children can be tested on the advice of a healthcare provider.
Is this a heart disease test?
No. It can't tell you whether you have heart disease. Your provider looks at your results together with your blood pressure, family history, smoking and other things.
What if my sample can't be tested?
Occasionally a sample can't be tested. This is most often due to shipping delays or exposure to extreme temperatures in transit. If this happens, you can contact us about a new blood draw or a refund.
See the particles that carry your cholesterol, sorted by size and density.
Not available for direct purchase in CA, MD, MA, NJ, NY, PA or RI.
how Can We Help?
Have Questions? Need assistance?
If you require immediate assistance, during normal business hours Monday thru Friday 8am-6pm CST, you may either utilize our Live Agent Chat or call us at (800) 227-LABS.
After hours, please contact us by filling out and submitting the form,
we will contact you the next business day.