Which tests measure Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol?

Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol is measured in 1 test on BiomarkersLabs.com, including Advanced Lipid Panel, Cardio IQ Test.

Biomarker Reference · LDL-C

What does the Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol test measure?

Q: Why is Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol measured?

LDL-C remains the anchor of cardiovascular risk assessment and the primary treatment target in most guidelines, and it carries the largest trial evidence base for intervention. Its limitation, and the reason the particle measures sit beside it on this panel, is that it reports cholesterol content rather than particle count; when the two disagree the particle-based markers refine the estimate. It is never interpreted in isolation here.

Q: What is the reference range for Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol?

The standard reference range for Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol is Optimal <100 mg/dL; 100–129 near optimal; 130–159 borderline high; 160–189 high; ≥190 very high (ATP III framing).. Reference ranges vary by laboratory and assay platform — interpret in context of the issuing laboratory's stated range.

Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) is a clinical biomarker used in cardiovascular assessment. LDL-C is the mass of cholesterol carried within low-density lipoproteins. It is measured in 1 laboratory test on BiomarkersLabs.com.

Reference Range: Optimal <100 mg/dL; 100–129 near optimal; 130–159 borderline high; 160–189 high; ≥190 very high (ATP III framing).
Units: mg/dL, mmol/L
Measured In: 1 test
Category: Cardiovascular

Functional medicine optimalBelow 70 mg/dL is commonly targeted for high-risk primary prevention and below 55 mg/dL for very-high-risk secondary prevention.

What is Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol?

LDL-C is the mass of cholesterol carried within low-density lipoproteins. On advanced panels it is frequently measured directly or calculated by a validated equation rather than by the older Friedewald formula, which loses reliability at high triglycerides or low cholesterol. It reflects cholesterol quantity, which is not always proportional to the number of particles delivering it.

Why is Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol measured?

LDL-C remains the anchor of cardiovascular risk assessment and the primary treatment target in most guidelines, and it carries the largest trial evidence base for intervention. Its limitation, and the reason the particle measures sit beside it on this panel, is that it reports cholesterol content rather than particle count; when the two disagree the particle-based markers refine the estimate. It is never interpreted in isolation here.

Reference ranges

Standard reference: Optimal <100 mg/dL; 100–129 near optimal; 130–159 borderline high; 160–189 high; ≥190 very high (ATP III framing).
Functional medicine optimal: Below 70 mg/dL is commonly targeted for high-risk primary prevention and below 55 mg/dL for very-high-risk secondary prevention.
Units: mg/dL, mmol/L

Reference ranges vary by laboratory and assay platform. Interpret in context of the issuing laboratory's stated range.

Tests that measure Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol

1 test on BiomarkersLabs.com include this biomarker.

BML-CAR-033Comprehensive

Advanced Lipid Panel, Cardio IQ Test

Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol reference range in this test: Optimal <100 mg/dL; 100–129 near optimal; 130–159 borderline high; 160–189 high; ≥190 very high (ATP III framing).

Related clinical conditions

Related Biomarkers

Frequently measured alongside

Low-Density Lipoprotein Particle NumberLDL-P1 test Apolipoprotein BApoB2 tests High-Density Lipoprotein CholesterolHDL-C1 test TriglyceridesTG4 tests Lipoprotein(a)Lp(a)2 tests Non-HDL Cholesterol (derived)Non-HDL-C2 tests

Order tests measuring Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol for your patients

Available exclusively to verified licensed healthcare practitioners. CLIA-certified laboratory results delivered to your secure portal.