Myeloperoxidase (MPO) Test: High MPO, Artery Inflammation, Plaque Risk, and Heart Disease
Myeloperoxidase, usually shortened to MPO, is an enzyme released mainly by activated white blood cells called neutrophils and monocytes. In the right place, MPO...
NMR Lipoprotein Profile Test: LDL-P, HDL-P, Particle Size, Insulin Resistance, and Heart Risk
An NMR lipoprotein profile is an advanced cholesterol blood test that looks beyond how much cholesterol is in the blood and measures the lipoprotein...
Non-HDL Cholesterol Test: High Non-HDL, Normal Range, Atherogenic Cholesterol, and Heart Risk
Non-HDL cholesterol is a simple number from a standard cholesterol panel, but it often gives a clearer view of artery-related risk than total cholesterol...
Non-HDL Cholesterol vs LDL Cholesterol: What Is the Difference?
Non-HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol both help estimate the amount of artery-clogging cholesterol in the blood, but they are not the same measurement. LDL...
Omega-3 Index and Triglycerides: Interpreting Heart and Metabolic Risk
The Omega-3 Index and triglycerides describe two different sides of lipid health. Triglycerides show how much fat-rich fuel is circulating in the blood, often...
Omega-3 Index Test: Low Omega-3 Levels, Normal Range, Heart Health, and Results
The omega-3 index test measures how much EPA and DHA, the two main marine omega-3 fatty acids, are built into your red blood cell...
Oxidized LDL (OxLDL) Test: High OxLDL, Normal Range, Artery Inflammation, and Cardiovascular Risk
Oxidized LDL, often written as OxLDL or ox-LDL, is LDL cholesterol that has been chemically changed by oxidative stress. This change makes LDL more...
Plant Sterol Blood Test: Sitosterol, Campesterol, Cholesterol Absorption, and Results
A plant sterol blood test measures sterols that come mostly from plant foods, especially sitosterol and campesterol. In routine lipid care, these markers can...
Remnant Cholesterol and Triglycerides: Interpreting Residual Heart Risk
Remnant cholesterol and triglycerides help explain why some people still have cardiovascular risk even when LDL cholesterol looks acceptable. Triglycerides show how much fat...
Remnant Cholesterol Test: High Remnant Cholesterol, Normal Range, Triglyceride-Rich Particles, and Cardiovascular Risk
Remnant cholesterol is the cholesterol carried inside triglyceride-rich lipoprotein remnants, including VLDL remnants, IDL, and chylomicron remnants. These particles are often overlooked because a...
Remnant-Like Particle Cholesterol (RLP-C) Test: High RLP-C, Normal Range, Remnant Particles, and Heart Risk
Remnant-like particle cholesterol, usually shortened to RLP-C, measures cholesterol carried inside leftover triglyceride-rich particles after your body has partly processed fat from food and...
Small Dense LDL (sdLDL) Test: High sdLDL, Normal Range, Pattern B, and Cardiovascular Risk
Small dense LDL, often shortened to sdLDL, is a subtype of LDL particle that tends to appear when triglycerides are high, HDL cholesterol is...
Small Dense LDL and Triglycerides: Pattern B, Insulin Resistance, and Risk
Small dense LDL is a type of LDL particle that tends to appear when triglycerides are high, HDL cholesterol is low, and insulin resistance...
Total Cholesterol and HDL Ratio: Interpreting Cholesterol Risk Without Overdoing It
Total cholesterol and HDL ratio is a simple number that compares all cholesterol in the blood with HDL cholesterol, the type often called “good”...
Total Cholesterol Test Normal and Optimal Range: Reference Values and Targets
Total cholesterol is one of the first numbers many people notice on a lipid panel, but it is only the starting point for understanding...
Total Cholesterol/HDL Ratio Test: Normal Range, High Ratio, Cholesterol Risk, and Heart Health
The total cholesterol/HDL ratio test compares all cholesterol in the blood with HDL cholesterol, the lipoprotein often linked with cholesterol removal from arteries. The...
Triglyceride/HDL Ratio Test: Insulin Resistance, Diabetes Risk, Heart Risk, and Results
The triglyceride/HDL ratio is a simple calculation from a standard lipid panel that can reveal more about metabolic health than either number alone. It...
Triglycerides and HDL: Interpreting the Metabolic Risk Pattern
Triglycerides and HDL cholesterol often move in opposite directions when the body is struggling with insulin resistance, excess visceral fat, high refined-carbohydrate intake, fatty...
Triglycerides Blood Test Normal and Optimal Range: Reference Values and Targets
Triglycerides are the main storage form of fat in the body and a routine part of most lipid panels. The blood test shows how...
VLDL Cholesterol Test Normal Range: Reference Values and Meaning
VLDL cholesterol is the cholesterol carried inside very low-density lipoproteins, the particles your liver uses to move triglycerides through the bloodstream. A VLDL cholesterol...