The More Accurate Cholesterol Test
Cholesterol has historically been used as the standard indicator for cardiovascular disease, often being classified as “good” (HDL) or “bad” (LDL). Studies have found that it is actually the lipoprotein particles that carry the cholesterol throughout the blood, not the cholesterol within them, that are responsible for key steps in plaque formation and the development of cardiovascular disease.
The small, dense, cholesterol-depleted particles impart the highest risk, as does a higher number of these lipoproteins. Standard cholesterol testing does not tell us enough about the particle types—or subgroups—of each of these LDL and HDL families; therefore, it misses the earliest opportunity to prevent adverse cardiovascular events, when it’s easiest to treat.
Why is it important to know lipoprotein numbers?
Cardiovascular risk increases with a higher LDL particle count. With a higher non-HDL count, the probability of particle penetration of the arterial walls rises, regardless of the total amount of cholesterol contained in each particle.
More than 30% of the population has cholesterol-depleted LDL, a condition in which a patient's cholesterol may be "normal" but their lipoprotein particle number, and hence their actual risk, could be much higher than expected. This is especially common in people whose triglycerides are high or HDL is low. In the population with a cholesterol-depleted LDL, there can be up to a 40% error in risk assessment.
What is the Lipoprotein Particle Profile™ (LPP™)?
SpectraCell’s LPP™ test is a proprietary technology originally developed at Texas A&M University that separates the lipoproteins in blood serum by density using analytical ultracentrifugation, the CDC gold standard for lipoprotein testing, then measures the particles photometrically.
Test Markers
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LPP Plus
- Lipoprotein Fractionation
- Lipoprotein Particle Numbers
- Total Cholesterol
- HDL Cholesterol
- LDL Cholesterol
- Triglycerides
- hs-CRP
- Homocysteine
- Apolipoprotein A-1
- Apolipoprotein B
- Lipoprotein (a)
- Insulin
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LPP Basic
- Lipoprotein Fractionation
- Lipoprotein Particle Numbers
- Total Cholesterol
- HDL Cholesterol
- LDL Cholesterol
- Triglycerides
- Lipoprotein (a)
Why Get Tested for the LPP Panel?
Up to 50 percent of those who have suffered heart attacks had “normal” cholesterol numbers. How can the large discrepancy between accurate diagnosis and standard cholesterol testing be prevented? Simply by testing the LDL (low density lipoprotein) particle numbers using the Lipoprotein Particle Profile™ (LPP™) from SpectraCell Laboratories.
Who would benefit from the LPP Profile?
If you have any of the following conditions:
- Family history of heart disease or diabetes
- Diagnosed with heart disease, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome and/or prediabetes
- Have weight management issues
- Have high LDL cholesterol or high total cholesterol
- Have low HDL cholesterol
- Smoke
- Eat a poor diet, low in fiber and plant foods
- Suffer from inflammatory conditions
- Have low antioxidant status
Sample Report
Collection Instructions
- Fasting? Yes. 9-12 hours
- Specimen: Blood