Small LDL cholesterol blood test in Chiswick

What the test measures

LDL cholesterol, often called bad cholesterol, is carried in particles that vary in size. Small, dense LDL particles are thought to enter the artery wall more easily and stay in the bloodstream longer than larger ones, and in research they have been linked with the build-up of fatty plaques. This test measures how much cholesterol is carried in that small, dense fraction, sometimes written sdLDL.

Small LDL tends to be higher in people with raised triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, excess weight around the middle or insulin resistance. It is not part of the standard NHS cholesterol check, and UK heart risk is still assessed mainly with total cholesterol, HDL, non-HDL cholesterol, blood pressure and other factors. Small LDL adds a finer layer of detail on top of those.

Your price includes the sample taken at our Chiswick clinic, analysis at the Randox accredited laboratory, a practitioner review of your result and a GP feedback report on request. No GP referral is needed.

Who it is for

• Your standard cholesterol looks borderline and you would like more detail.
• You have raised triglycerides or low HDL cholesterol.
• You have prediabetes, type 2 diabetes or a larger waist and want to understand your heart risk.
• You have a family history of early heart disease.
• You are making diet or lifestyle changes and want to track their effect on your lipids.

Understanding your result

A higher small LDL suggests that more of your LDL cholesterol is carried in the small, dense form, a pattern often seen alongside raised triglycerides and insulin resistance. A lower level is generally more favourable. The result is not a diagnosis of heart disease and does not replace an overall risk assessment, which also considers age, blood pressure, smoking, diabetes and family history.

Your report shows the laboratory reference range. A result outside it is a prompt for discussion with your practitioner about your overall risk, not a diagnosis.

Preparing for your test

Fasting for 10 to 12 hours beforehand is advised, especially if triglycerides are being checked at the same time, as a recent meal raises triglycerides and can shift the lipid pattern. Drink water as normal and avoid alcohol the evening before. Keep taking any cholesterol-lowering medicine as prescribed and let us know which one you take.

Small LDL is included in Heart Health, which reads it alongside a full cholesterol profile, and in Advanced GP2. You can also compare every blood test and price in Chiswick.

Questions

How much is a small LDL cholesterol test in Chiswick?

The small LDL test costs £49. This covers your sample at our clinic, laboratory analysis, a practitioner review and a GP feedback report on request.

How is small LDL different from LDL cholesterol?

Standard LDL measures all the cholesterol in LDL particles. Small LDL measures the share carried in the smaller, denser particles, adding detail about particle type.

Do I need to fast?

Fasting for 10 to 12 hours is recommended, because eating raises triglycerides, which are closely linked to small LDL.

Can lifestyle changes lower small LDL?

Changes that reduce triglycerides and improve insulin sensitivity, such as weight loss, regular activity and cutting back on refined carbohydrates and alcohol, are associated with lower small LDL. Discuss any changes with your practitioner.