VLDL Cholesterol

Description: VLDL is a blood test often ordered alongside other lipid tests to determine risk of heart disease.

Also Known As: VLDL Test, VLDL-C Test, Very Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Test

Collection Method: Blood Draw

Specimen Type: Serum

Test Preparation: Patient should fast 9-12 hours prior to collection

When is a VLDL Cholesterol test ordered?

The VLDL-C test is rarely ordered separately. When a health practitioner wants to determine a person's risk of heart disease, it may be reported along with the findings of a lipid profile.

What does a VLDL Cholesterol blood test check for?

One of the four primary lipoprotein particles is very low-density lipoprotein. High-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and chylomicrons are the other three. Each particle contains a combination of cholesterol, triglycerides, and protein, but in different amounts depending on the particle type. The biggest level of cholesterol is seen in LDL. The protein content of HDL is the highest. Triglycerides are found in the highest concentrations in VLDL and chylomicrons.

The liver releases VLDL particles into the bloodstream, which circulate in the bloodstream before being transformed to LDL when they lose triglyceride after carrying it to other regions of the body. VLDL appears to play a role in atherogenesis, a process in which plaques form on the inside walls of arteries, narrowing them and reducing blood flow, which can lead to heart disease and raise the risk of stroke.

There is currently no easy, direct method of determining VLDL cholesterol. However, because VLDL-C carries the majority of the circulating triglyceride and the makeup of the various particles is largely stable, the amount of VLDL-C can be estimated using the triglyceride value.

To calculate VLDL-C, multiply the triglyceride number by 5 if it is in mg/dL or by 2.2 if it is in mmol/L. In most cases, this estimate is used. When triglyceride levels exceed 400 mg/dl, however, the computation is invalid since additional lipoproteins are generally present. Triglycerides testing frequently necessitates that the patient fast before the sample is taken; otherwise, the calculations may be inaccurate.

Lab tests often ordered with a VLDL Cholesterol test:

Conditions where a VLDL Cholesterol test is recommended:

How does my health care provider use a VLDL Cholesterol test?

Very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol can be found in a lipid profile, which is a collection of tests used to estimate the risk of coronary heart disease and is an important component of cardiac risk assessments.

Increased VLDL-C levels are assumed to be due to the presence of particles known as lipoprotein remnants, which are intermediary particles on the VLDL-to-LDL conversion pathway. The conversion of VLDL to LDL is hindered when large amounts of VLDL are present, and the accumulation of intermediate particles is thought to contribute to atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.

What do my VLDL Cholesterol Test results mean?

A high amount of VLDL cholesterol, like a high level of LDL cholesterol, is linked to heart disease and stroke. The presence of high VLDL in addition to high LDL may influence the type of cholesterol-lowering therapy utilized, such as lifestyle changes or medication therapy.

Low VLDL cholesterol levels are rarely a cause for worry.

We advise having your results reviewed by a licensed medical healthcare professional for proper interpretation of your results.