LDL Particle Number levels: what's normal, high and low
The actual count of LDL particles. A more direct measure of atherogenic burden than LDL cholesterol.
Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD · Last reviewed September 2026
The short answer
LDL Particle Number is measured with a standard blood draw after an 8–12 hour fast. A typical reference range is 0.000 – 1000 nmol/L. At TestWell it's $90.99 all-in as Advanced Lipid Panel, results in 3–5 business days, drawn at Quest. An out-of-range result is a prompt to look closer, not a diagnosis.
- Units
- nmol/L
- Sample
- Blood draw
- Fasting
- 8–12 hours
- Results
- 3–5 business days
- Price
- $90.99
- Labs
- Quest
LDL Particle Number Reference Range
These are the typical adult reference ranges used by major US labs. Your report will include the specific range used by the lab that processed your sample.
| Population | Range |
|---|---|
| age 18+ | 0.000 – 1000 nmol/L |
Reference ranges are educational. Always interpret your result with the specific range printed on your lab report and discuss anything outside the range with a clinician.
Have a result in hand? analyze it with your AI assistant using these reviewed ranges, or run it through our explainer. Tools: look up another marker's range · convert lab units
What your LDL Particle Number result may mean
Above 1000 nmol/L is considered above optimal; above 1600 is high. A leading risk marker when LDL-C and LDL-P disagree.
What a high LDL Particle Number means: causes, symptoms, next steps ↓Educational only — not a diagnosis. Many factors can influence a single result. Discuss anything that concerns you with a healthcare provider.
What does a high LDL Particle Number mean?
LDL particle number (LDL-P) counts the LDL particles themselves rather than the cholesterol they carry. It is high when there are many small, cholesterol-poor particles — the pattern of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome — and can be high even when LDL-C looks acceptable, a mismatch called discordance. Above 1,000 nmol/L is above optimal; above 1,600 is high. ApoB gives the same information on a standard panel.
Common causes of a high LDL Particle Number
- Insulin resistance, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, central obesity
- High triglycerides (shifts LDL toward small particles)
- Familial hypercholesterolemia and combined hyperlipidemia
- Hypothyroidism, nephrotic syndrome
- Diet high in refined carbohydrates; inactivity
Ordered from most to least common.
Symptoms that can go with it
- None
What clinicians usually check next
- ApoB (equivalent, cheaper, standardized), A1c, fasting insulin, triglycerides
- Treat the driver — insulin resistance responds to weight loss, activity and carbohydrate reduction
- Statin or other therapy decisions use LDL-P/ApoB alongside standard risk factors
My LDL cholesterol is normal but LDL-P is high — which is right?
Both are right; they measure different things. When they disagree, particle number (or ApoB) tracks risk better, because plaque forms from particles entering the artery wall, not from the cholesterol they carry.
Educational only — not a diagnosis. A single result outside the range is a prompt to look closer with a clinician.
How do you get a LDL Particle Number test?
Order online, a licensed physician reviews the requisition, and you walk into a nearby lab for the draw. LDL Particle Number is available on its own or inside these panels — panels cost less per marker when you want the fuller picture.
| Option | Includes | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Lipid Panel | This marker only | $90.99 |
Quest vs. Labcorp for LDL Particle Number: which lab should you pick?
Both are CLIA-certified national labs and the result is clinically equivalent, so pick whichever location is closer. Your report will print that lab's own reference range, which can differ slightly from the table above.
| Lab | Available | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Quest Diagnostics | Yes | $90.99 |
| Labcorp | No | — |
| BioReference (NY & NJ) | No | — |
Need help choosing a location? Use the lab finder to see draw sites near your ZIP.
Related Heart Health biomarkers
Markers commonly tested alongside LDL Particle Number.
Frequently asked
What does a high LDL Particle Number mean?
LDL particle number (LDL-P) counts the LDL particles themselves rather than the cholesterol they carry. It is high when there are many small, cholesterol-poor particles — the pattern of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome — and can be high even when LDL-C looks acceptable, a mismatch called discordance. Above 1,000 nmol/L is above optimal; above 1,600 is high. ApoB gives the same information on a standard panel.
My LDL cholesterol is normal but LDL-P is high — which is right?
Both are right; they measure different things. When they disagree, particle number (or ApoB) tracks risk better, because plaque forms from particles entering the artery wall, not from the cholesterol they carry.
Do I need a doctor's order to test my ldl particle number?
No. TestWell's licensed physician network reviews and approves your order — usually within minutes. You can place an order online without an in-person visit or a referral from your own doctor.
How long does it take to get LDL Particle Number results?
Most LDL Particle Number results are available in 1–3 business days after your specimen arrives at the lab. You'll get an email the moment your results are ready, with everything viewable in your TestWell portal.
How much does a LDL Particle Number test cost?
Our Advanced Lipid Panel starts at $90.99. That's the all-in price — no copays, no insurance hoops, no surprise bills. HSA and FSA cards are accepted.
Do I need to fast before my LDL Particle Number test?
Yes — for the most accurate result, fast for 8–12 hours before your blood draw. Water is fine; coffee, food, and supplements are not. Your prep instructions will be included with your order.
Which lab will process my LDL Particle Number test?
Your test will be processed by Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp, or BioReference depending on which is closest to you and which lab carries the test. All three are CLIA-certified and trusted by hospitals nationwide. You'll choose your lab during checkout from 4,000+ locations.
Ready to test your ldl particle number?
Order in two minutes, get physician-approved, and visit a lab the same day. Starts at $90.99.