What's this test for?

This test is ideal if you have concerns about heart disease, high cholesterol, or if your standard cholesterol test came back normal but you still have cardiovascular risk factors. It measures small dense LDL particles, a specific type of bad cholesterol that's particularly harmful and often missed by regular cholesterol tests. Many people use this test when they want a more comprehensive understanding of their heart health beyond basic lipid panels.

What happens after I get my results?

You'll receive detailed doctor notes in simple language explaining what your small dense LDL levels mean for your heart health and cardiovascular disease risk. These notes include personalized recommendations like dietary changes to lower harmful cholesterol, exercise guidelines, and supplement suggestions that can help improve your lipid profile. Along with your standard lab report, you can use our trends feature to track your cholesterol levels over time, especially helpful if you're making lifestyle changes or monitoring treatment effectiveness.

What's included in this test?

This test measures sdLDL (small dense low-density lipoprotein). This specialized measurement identifies the most dangerous type of LDL cholesterol particles that are small enough to penetrate artery walls easily, increasing your risk for heart disease and stroke. When used alongside standard cholesterol measurements, it provides a more complete picture of your cardiovascular risk and helps guide more targeted treatment strategies.

How should I prepare for this test?

Fasting may be required for this test. It's important to ask your doctor whether you should fast prior to testing, as this can affect the accuracy of your results. If fasting is needed, you'll typically be asked to avoid food and drinks (except water) for 9-12 hours before your blood draw.

Who should consider getting this test?

This test is particularly valuable for people with a family history of early heart disease, those with diabetes or metabolic syndrome, individuals with normal LDL but elevated triglycerides, or anyone whose standard cholesterol test doesn't fully explain their cardiovascular risk. It's also useful for people already on cholesterol medication who want to ensure they're getting optimal protection against heart disease.

What symptoms indicate I may need this test?

While small dense LDL doesn't cause specific symptoms, you should consider this test if you experience chest discomfort during exercise, unexplained shortness of breath, or fatigue that may indicate cardiovascular issues. It's also important if you have risk factors like high blood pressure, being overweight, family history of heart disease, or if you have type 2 diabetes, even without obvious symptoms.

How can I naturally lower my small dense LDL levels?

Reducing small dense LDL starts with cutting back on refined carbohydrates and sugars, which directly increase these harmful particles. Focus on eating more fiber-rich foods like vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, and include healthy fats from fish, nuts, and olive oil. Regular aerobic exercise, losing excess weight, and avoiding trans fats can also significantly reduce small dense LDL levels over time.

What is small dense LDL and why does it matter?

Small dense LDL refers to tiny, compact cholesterol particles that are more dangerous than regular LDL cholesterol because they can easily penetrate and damage artery walls, leading to plaque buildup. Unlike larger, fluffier LDL particles, these small dense particles are more likely to become oxidized and trigger inflammation, significantly increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke. Standard cholesterol tests don't distinguish between particle sizes, which is why you might have normal LDL levels but still be at increased cardiovascular risk.

What does high small dense LDL mean?

High levels of small dense LDL indicate you have a greater number of the most harmful type of cholesterol particles circulating in your blood, which significantly increases your risk for atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke. This pattern is often seen in people with insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, or type 2 diabetes, even when their total cholesterol appears normal. Elevated small dense LDL suggests you need more aggressive management of your cardiovascular risk factors.

How often should I retest my small dense LDL?

If you're making lifestyle changes or starting new treatments to improve your cholesterol, retesting in 3-6 months helps you see if your interventions are working. For those with established cardiovascular disease or diabetes, testing every 6-12 months is common for ongoing monitoring. If your initial results are optimal and you maintain a healthy lifestyle, annual testing may be sufficient to ensure your levels remain in a healthy range.

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short: In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want. If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test. Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout. If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want. When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system. Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way. You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy! If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

How do I know which test to get?

In the test options, find the test you want. If you’re not sure which test to get, we can lend a hand in finding the right option. Just text or call us at 754-799-7833, email us at support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you. We've got your back and reply quickly.

When will my lab results be available?

Most test results will be available within 1–3 business days. Once they're ready, we'll send an email and text message to let you know. After your blood draw, just hang tight and don't worry – we'll keep you updated and in the loop! If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you.

Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you. Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at support@privatemdlabs.com. Remember to include your order number and let us know the correct information you’d like to update. Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you. There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out. Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.

Do you accept health insurance?

Only HSA & FSA is accepted. Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts. This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.

Can I cancel my order?

Yes. We get it – sometimes your needs change. As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order. If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com. You can read more about our cancellation policy here.

How can I find a lab location near me?

During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached! You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp). Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Small Dense LDL Test - Hidden Cholesterol Check

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.

Long story short:

In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way.
You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy!

754-799-7833

support@privatemdlabs.com

Blood Test for Hidden Cholesterol and Heart Health

sdLDL(7)

90 day happiness guarantee

Prescription & fees included

Easy to understand results

Fast & convenient

90 day happiness guarantee

Prescription & fees included

Easy to understand results

Fast & convenient

What's this test for?

How should I prepare for this test?

What's included in this test?

Here’s why 1,000,000+ customers chose us for affordable hassle-free private blood testing.

Blood Test for Hidden Cholesterol and Heart Health

90 day happiness guarantee

Prescription & fees included

Easy to understand results

Fast & convenient

1,000,000+ blood tests later, here's what our customers say

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