Your Health Where It Belongs... Your Hands

Note: This is a test kit that will be mailed to you. It requires a blood draw. It is your responsibility to arrange the blood draw for your kit and payment of your specimen collection.

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Fasting Required: Yes, 9-12 hours fasting required
Lab: SpectraCell
Specimen: Blood
Results: Average processing time 7-10 business days
Note: Result turnaround times are an estimate and are not guaranteed. Our reference lab may need additional time due to weather, holidays, confirmation/repeat testing, or equipment maintenance.

Description: Advanced technology that measures both the density and number of lipoprotein particles with precision which are crucial for evaluating cardiovascular risk. According to the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP), measuring lipoprotein subgroups is the only way to assess new risk factors accurately. This detailed analysis is essential for a comprehensive and precise assessment of cardiovascular health.

Most of us know about "good" (HDL) and "bad" (LDL) cholesterol, but there’s more to the story. The LPP® Test looks at the particles carrying cholesterol—these are the real culprits in plaque buildup and heart disease. Small, dense (LDL) particles are especially dangerous. This test offers a deeper insight, helping to pinpoint risks that traditional tests might miss.

50% of people at risk for heart disease are not identified by routine testing because they have "normal" cholesterol levels.

Includes:

• Lipoprotein Fractionation - The process by which makes our LPP® test superior than standard cholesterol testing or other advanced cholesterol testing technologies. LPP® determines the specific number of particles in each lipoprotein subclass (HDL and LDL) for a much more accurate assessment of risk. For example, the LPP® test measures RLP (remnant lipoprotein) and Lp(a), both very atherogenic, but with very different effective treatment options. A standard cholesterol test does not give this information, putting your doctor at a disadvantage when deciding the most effective clinical treatment. The LPP® test measures the lipoprotein particles directly, giving a precise evaluation of their density (size). Armed with this information, your doctor is empowered to make the best possible decisions regarding your care when it comes to reducing cardiovascular risk.
• Lipoprotein Particle Numbers - Lipoproteins are ball-shaped proteins in the blood that transport fats (lipids) throughout the?body. The fact that lipoproteins - not the cholesterol that is carried within them - causes cardiovascular disease by penetrating the endothelial lining of the arteries, becoming oxidized and contributing to arterial plaque, has been well established. Further, the most effective treatment will depend on which lipoproteins are elevated, so measuring lipoprotein particle numbers enables a clinician to (1) determine accurately the level of cardiometabolic risk and (2) how best to treat it.
• Remnant Lipoprotein (RLP) - This highly atherogenic lipoprotein causes platelet aggregation and impairs vascular relaxation. Unlike other LDL particles which have to be oxidized before they are taken into the arterial intima by macrophage cells, RLP can contribute to plaque buildup even when not oxidized. Foam cells (the sticky contributors to arterial plaque) contains high levels of RLP. Treatment with omega 3 fatty acids can be efficacious.
• Dense LDL III and LDL IV - These lipoproteins are small and can thus more easily penetrate and damage the lining of the arteries due to their size, causing plaque and atherosclerosis. They are highly correlated to cardiovascular disease.
• HDL2b - This is a protective lipoprotein that indicates how well cholesterol is being cleared by the liver (reverse cholesterol transport system). HDL is made in the liver as HDL3 and as it travels through the body accumulating cholesterol it becomes the larger and lipid-enriched HDL2b. It positively correlates with heart health.
• Total Cholesterol - Measures the total amount of cholesterol in your blood.
• Total LDL Particles - Tracks the number of "bad" cholesterol particles.
• Total HDL Particles - Tracks the number of "good" cholesterol particles.
• Triglycerides - Checks the amount of fats in your blood.
• Lipoprotein (a) - This unique lipoprotein is particularly dangerous because it inhibits the formation of plasmin which is an enzyme that dissolves blood clots. High levels of Lp(a) are strongly linked to thrombosis significantly raising the risk of blood clots and associated cardiac events. It can also penetrate the arterial lining, become oxidized and build plaque, thus contributing to atherosclerosis independent of its thrombotic potential.
• High-sensitivity C-reactive Protein (hs-CRP) - High Sensitivity C-reactive Protein (hs-CRP) is an acute phase protein that reflects the presence of inflammation in the body. High CRP, regardless of cause, is strongly correlated to the risk of sudden cardiac death and low-grade chronic systemic inflammation raises the risk of metabolic syndrome, heart disease, diabetes and other degenerative diseases.
• Homocysteine - A metabolic intermediate, this protein is dangerous at high levels because it indicates poor methylation (detoxification) ability. Homocysteine will also act as an arterial abrasive, physically damaging the endothelial lining of blood vessels. High levels are strongly linked to kidney and heart disease, stroke and dementia. Elevated Homocysteine levels would suggest testing for the MTHFR gene mutuations. The MethyleneTetraHydroFolate Reductase (MTHFR) gene produces the MTHFR enzyme, but mutations can reduce enzyme activity, leading to elevated homocysteine levels without adequate folate.
• Apolipoprotein A-1 (ApoA1) - ApoA1 is a protein that is attached to the surface of all high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and is thus reflective of the amount of protective lipoproteins in the blood. It facilitates the removal of fats (cholesterol) from arterial walls by enabling its transport back to the liver for eventual excretion. Like HDL, low levels raise risk of heart disease.
• Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) - ApoB100 is a protein produced in the liver that attached to the surface of all low-density lipoproteins (LDL), regardless of type. Every molecule of VLDL, RLP, Lp(a) and LDL has exactly one, and only one apoB100 molecule attached to it and thus, ApoB reflects the level of atherogenic lipoproteins in the blood.
• Insulin - Insulin is a hormone made by beta cells (ß-cells) in the pancreas and secreted in response to elevated blood sugar. Its main function is to regulate plasma glucose levels within a narrow range and is correlated to the efficiency with which a person can metabolize carbohydrates. If one becomes de-sensitized to the action of insulin (insulin resistant), more is needed to achieve adequate glucose-lowering effects, thus altering metabolism to favor fat storage over efficient energy production. High fasting insulin indicates insulin resistance and possible pre-diabetes. Stimulatory hormones (i.e. adrenaline, cortisol) can also raise insulin levels.