Advanced lipid panel
A deeper breakdown of your cholesterol particles - how many there are, how big they are, and how much “remnant” cholesterol is left over.
TypeBlood biomarker panel
HowStandard blood draw. Some labs ask for fasting.
How oftenOccasionally - when standard results don’t add up.
BeforeFollow the lab’s fasting instructions.
WhoPeople whose LDL and ApoB disagree, or with strong family history.
Same LDL, different risk
A standard panel measures how much cholesterol you carry. An advanced panel counts the particles carrying it and their size - which matters most when your numbers don’t match your risk.
Standard panel
“What are my cholesterol levels?”
Total, LDL, HDL and triglycerides. Enough for most people.
Starting point
Particle count
“How many particles are there?”
Many small particles can carry the same cholesterol as fewer large ones - but raise risk more.
Hidden risk
ApoB
“Simplest way to count particles?”
One protein per harmful particle. Widely available and usually enough.
Often the best next step
ApoB is often the simpler, cheaper way to get the same answer.
Is it right for you?
Worth considering if…
- Your LDL looks fine but your triglycerides are high or you have insulin resistance.
- You have a strong family history and want every piece of information.
- You’re on treatment and results seem inconsistent.
A better option if…
- You haven’t had ApoB yet - it answers most of the same question, more simply and cheaply.
- You want to know if plaque exists - a calcium score shows that directly.
How it’s measured
NMR lipoprofile
Uses magnetic resonance to count LDL particles (LDL-P) and estimate size.
Ion mobility / other methods
Different technologies - results aren’t always comparable between labs.
Calculated remnant cholesterol
Total cholesterol minus LDL and HDL - can be worked out from a standard panel.
The full picture
What is it?
A group of tests that look at the number and type of cholesterol-carrying particles rather than just the cholesterol inside them.
What type of test is it?
An advanced blood biomarker panel.
What does it measure?
Typically LDL particle number (LDL-P), small dense LDL, particle size and remnant cholesterol.
Why might someone consider it?
When LDL cholesterol and particle number disagree, particle number tracks risk more closely.
Who is it most relevant for?
People with high triglycerides, insulin resistance, diabetes, or unexplained early heart disease in the family.
How is it performed?
A routine blood draw sent to a specialist lab.
How often might it be considered?
Occasionally, not routinely.
What can the result help you understand?
Whether your particle burden is higher than your LDL suggests.
What are its limitations?
ApoB gives very similar information at lower cost, methods vary between labs, and particle size adds little once number is known.
What should it be viewed with?
ApoB, triglycerides, HbA1c, fasting insulin, Lp(a) and family history.
Where to get it
Through your provider
The simplest route - often covered when there’s a clear reason.
Lab services
e.g. Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp.
Direct-to-consumer panels
e.g. Function Health, InsideTracker.
Names are examples only, not endorsements. Your provider can often order the same test - and help interpret it.
Connected to
Questions to ask your provider
- Would ApoB answer my question without an advanced panel?
- Do my LDL and ApoB disagree?
- Which lab method is being used?
Ziva Health
One test is a snapshot. Ziva shows the whole story.
Ziva brings your lab results, wearables and daily readings together - and Isabella tells you what’s changing and what to ask your provider next.
Refer Ziva to my provider / care team
Is your provider not on Ziva yet? Send them a link in under a minute - once they join, they’ll see your Advanced lipid panel result alongside your other trends and get alerts directly.
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Bring your Ziva 30-day report to your next appointment - your Advanced lipid panel result and daily trends in one view, so the conversation starts with the full picture.
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Being listed doesn’t mean everyone needs this test. Educational only — not medical advice. Results should be interpreted with a qualified clinician. ← Back to Know What to Test