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Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol details
Description
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is often called 'bad' cholesterol because excess LDL particles can penetrate artery walls and contribute to plaque buildup, a process that raises the risk of heart attack and stroke over time. It's one of the core components of a standard lipid panel and a primary target for cardiovascular risk management — lower levels are generally considered better, and target levels are often set more aggressively for people who already have other cardiovascular risk factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking history, or a family history of early heart disease.
Optimal & Reference range
Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol
mg/dL- Low
- Below optimal
- Optimal
- Above optimal
- High
- Optimal range
- 80 - 99.99
- Reference range
- 1 - 100
- Out of range
- <1 or >100
Interpretation
- Low: Your result is below the reference range. Discuss it with your healthcare provider, who can interpret it alongside your symptoms and other results.
- Below optimal: Your result is within the reference range, but below the range we consider optimal.
- Optimal: Your result is within the optimal range.
- Above optimal: Your result is within the reference range, but above the range we consider optimal.
- High: Your result is above the reference range. Discuss it with your healthcare provider, who can interpret it alongside your symptoms and other results.
- These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Laboratory
Blood tests with Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol
Explore available tests to better understand your results and gain deeper insights into your health.
Panel
Cardio IQ Advanced Lipid Panel with Inflammation
$166.49
Advanced Lipid Panel with Inflammation, Cardio IQ® This test goes beyond the standard lipid panel to provide a more comprehensive assessment of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. According to the 2013 ACC/AHA guidelines, it's important to match statin treatment intensity with the absolute risk of cardiovascular events. This test includes advanced CVD markers like ion mobility, ApoB, lp(a), hsCRP, and Lp-PLA2, offering a clearer picture of your CVD risk.
Biomarkers
- Apolipoprotein B The main protein found on LDL and other 'bad' cholesterol particles. Considered a strong indicator of cardiovascular risk, since each particle carries one ApoB molecule.
- Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol The 'bad' cholesterol that can build up in artery walls. A core marker used to assess cardiovascular disease risk.
- LDL Size Measures the average size of your LDL ('bad' cholesterol) particles; smaller, denser particles are considered more likely to contribute to artery plaque.
- Lipoprotein(a) A genetically-determined, LDL-like particle. Elevated levels are an independent, largely inherited risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
- Total Cholesterol The combined measure of all cholesterol in your blood — HDL, LDL, and other lipoproteins together. A foundational marker of cardiovascular risk.
- Triglycerides A type of fat in your blood used for energy storage. Elevated levels are linked to increased cardiovascular risk and often reflect diet, weight, or metabolic health.
- HDL Cholesterol The 'good' cholesterol that helps remove excess cholesterol from your bloodstream. Higher levels are generally linked to lower cardiovascular risk.
- HDL Large
- hsCRP
- LDL Medium
- LDL Particle Number
- LDL Pattern
- LDL Small
- Lp-PLA2
- Non-HDL Cholesterol Total cholesterol minus HDL — capturing all the potentially artery-clogging ('bad') cholesterol particles in one number.
- Total Cholesterol / HDL Ratio Compares your total cholesterol to your HDL ('good') cholesterol, offering a quick snapshot of cardiovascular risk balance.
Cardio IQ Lipid Panel
$6.49
Lipid Panel, Cardio IQ® This is the most widely used Lipid Panel, essential for detecting, classifying, and monitoring hyperlipidemia, a condition characterized by high levels of fats in the blood. Understanding your lipid levels is crucial for heart health.
Biomarkers
- Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol The 'bad' cholesterol that can build up in artery walls. A core marker used to assess cardiovascular disease risk.
- Total Cholesterol The combined measure of all cholesterol in your blood — HDL, LDL, and other lipoproteins together. A foundational marker of cardiovascular risk.
- Triglycerides A type of fat in your blood used for energy storage. Elevated levels are linked to increased cardiovascular risk and often reflect diet, weight, or metabolic health.
- HDL Cholesterol The 'good' cholesterol that helps remove excess cholesterol from your bloodstream. Higher levels are generally linked to lower cardiovascular risk.
- Non-HDL Cholesterol Total cholesterol minus HDL — capturing all the potentially artery-clogging ('bad') cholesterol particles in one number.
- Total Cholesterol / HDL Ratio Compares your total cholesterol to your HDL ('good') cholesterol, offering a quick snapshot of cardiovascular risk balance.
Comprehensive Female Panel
$362.50
The Comprehensive Female Panel measures the levels of several hormones and other markers to provide a comprehensive assessment of a patient's health.
Biomarkers
- Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) An enzyme found mainly in the liver and bones. High levels can signal liver disease, bile duct blockage, or bone conditions.
- Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) A liver enzyme released into the blood when liver cells are damaged. One of the main markers used to screen for liver inflammation or injury.
- Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) An enzyme found in the liver, heart, and muscles. Elevated levels can point to liver damage, though it's less liver-specific than ALT.
- Albumin The main protein made by your liver, which helps balance fluids and carries hormones, vitamins, and medications through your blood. Low levels can point to liver, kidney, or nutrition issues.
- Albumin/Globulin Ratio Compares your two main blood protein types, albumin and globulin. An abnormal ratio can point toward liver disease, kidney problems, or immune system conditions.
- BUN Blood urea nitrogen, a waste product filtered by your kidneys. Used along with creatinine to assess kidney function and hydration status.
- BUN/Creatinine Ratio Compares two kidney-related waste markers to help distinguish the cause of abnormal kidney values, such as dehydration versus a kidney-specific problem.
- Calcium Measures the total calcium in your blood, important for bone health, muscle function, nerve signaling, and blood clotting.
- Carbon Dioxide Reflects the bicarbonate level in your blood, a key part of your body's acid-base balance. Abnormal levels can point to metabolic or respiratory issues.
- Chloride An electrolyte that works with sodium and potassium to maintain fluid balance and acid-base status in your body.
- Creatinine A waste product from muscle metabolism, filtered by your kidneys. One of the main markers used to assess kidney function.
- DHEA-S The sulfated, more stable form of DHEA. A reliable marker of adrenal androgen production, used to evaluate adrenal function and androgen excess.
- Estradiol (E2) The main and most potent form of estrogen. Key for reproductive health in women and also present in men; used to evaluate menstrual, fertility, and hormone-related concerns.
- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) A pituitary hormone that drives egg development in women and sperm production in men. Key marker for fertility and menopause evaluation.
- Fasting Glucose Blood sugar measured after fasting, one of the primary tests used to screen for prediabetes and diabetes.
- Ferritin Reflects your body's stored iron levels. Low levels point to iron deficiency; high levels can indicate iron overload or, since it's also an inflammation marker, other conditions.
- Free Testosterone The small portion of your testosterone that's unbound and biologically active, considered a more accurate reflection of usable hormone than total testosterone.
- Globulin A group of blood proteins that includes antibodies and various transport proteins. Assessed together with albumin to evaluate liver, kidney, and immune function.
- High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Cholesterol The 'good' cholesterol that helps remove excess cholesterol from your bloodstream. Higher levels are generally linked to lower cardiovascular risk.
- Hematocrit The percentage of your blood volume made up of red blood cells. Used to help diagnose anemia or polycythemia (excess red blood cells).
- Hemoglobin The oxygen-carrying protein in your red blood cells. A core marker for diagnosing anemia and other blood disorders.
- IGF-1 Insulin-like growth factor 1, a hormone that reflects your average growth hormone activity over time. Used to evaluate growth hormone excess or deficiency.
- Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol The 'bad' cholesterol that can build up in artery walls. A core marker used to assess cardiovascular disease risk.
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH) A pituitary hormone that triggers ovulation in women and stimulates testosterone production in men. Used to evaluate fertility, menstrual irregularities, and reproductive hormone disorders.
- MCH Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin — the average amount of hemoglobin per red blood cell, used to help classify types of anemia.
- MCHC Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration — the average concentration of hemoglobin within your red blood cells, used to help classify types of anemia.
- MCV Mean Corpuscular Volume — the average size of your red blood cells, a key value used to help determine the cause of anemia.
- Platelets Cell fragments that help your blood clot. Counted to screen for bleeding or clotting risk and various blood disorders.
- Potassium An essential electrolyte that plays a critical role in heart rhythm, muscle function, and nerve signaling.
- Progesterone A hormone essential for the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Used to confirm ovulation, evaluate fertility, and monitor early pregnancy.
- RBC Red blood cell count — the number of oxygen-carrying red blood cells in your blood, used to help diagnose anemia or polycythemia.
- RDW Red Cell Distribution Width — measures how much your red blood cells vary in size, helpful for narrowing down the cause of anemia.
- SHBG (Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin) A protein that binds and transports testosterone and estrogen in your blood, determining how much hormone is 'free' and active. Important for interpreting sex hormone results.
- Sodium An essential electrolyte that regulates fluid balance, blood pressure, and nerve and muscle function.
- Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) A pituitary hormone that signals your thyroid to produce hormone. The primary screening test for both underactive and overactive thyroid conditions.
- Testosterone The primary male sex hormone, also present in women in smaller amounts. Evaluated for low testosterone symptoms, fertility, and reproductive hormone imbalances.
- Total Bilirubin The combined level of both processed and unprocessed bilirubin in your blood, a byproduct of red blood cell breakdown. Used to evaluate liver function and jaundice.
- Total Cholesterol The combined measure of all cholesterol in your blood — HDL, LDL, and other lipoproteins together. A foundational marker of cardiovascular risk.
- Total Protein The combined amount of all proteins in your blood, mainly albumin and globulins, used to help evaluate liver, kidney, and nutritional status.
- Triglycerides A type of fat in your blood used for energy storage. Elevated levels are linked to increased cardiovascular risk and often reflect diet, weight, or metabolic health.
- VLDL Very-Low-Density Lipoprotein, a cholesterol particle that primarily carries triglycerides. Elevated levels are linked to increased cardiovascular risk.
- WBC White blood cell count — the total number of white blood cells in your blood, key immune cells. Used to help detect infection, inflammation, and other blood disorders.
- eGFR Estimated glomerular filtration rate — a calculated estimate of how well your kidneys are filtering waste from your blood, based on creatinine and other factors.
- T3, Free (fT3) The unbound, biologically active portion of triiodothyronine (T3), the more potent thyroid hormone. Used to evaluate thyroid function.
- T4, Free (fT4) The unbound, biologically active portion of thyroxine (T4), your main thyroid hormone. A core marker for evaluating thyroid function.
- C-Reactive Protein, High Sensitivity (hs-CRP) A sensitive marker of low-grade inflammation in the body, commonly used to help assess cardiovascular disease risk.
Lipoprotein Fractionation Ultracentrifugation
$73.49
This panel measures serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and provides a calculated concentration of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol. Comprehensive lipid assessment aids in evaluating cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and the likelihood of an ischemic event. It is also useful for the prevention and management of atherosclerotic disease and diagnosis of metabolic syndrome [1].
Biomarkers
- Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol The 'bad' cholesterol that can build up in artery walls. A core marker used to assess cardiovascular disease risk.
- Total Cholesterol The combined measure of all cholesterol in your blood — HDL, LDL, and other lipoproteins together. A foundational marker of cardiovascular risk.
- Triglycerides A type of fat in your blood used for energy storage. Elevated levels are linked to increased cardiovascular risk and often reflect diet, weight, or metabolic health.
- HDL Cholesterol The 'good' cholesterol that helps remove excess cholesterol from your bloodstream. Higher levels are generally linked to lower cardiovascular risk.
- VLDL, Calculated