$40.00
Priced per marker, with baseline labs included. You’ll see your total before you pay.
Heart & circulation
sdLDL test
Small, dense LDL. Small dense LDL particles — the most atherogenic LDL subtype.
At a glance
In about 5 days
Most results are ready in about 5 days. Some specialty markers can take up to 21 days.
Check before your draw
This marker has no preparation tag, but it can still need preparation. Contact us before your draw if you’re not sure.
Walk in at Quest
Your lab order arrives by email. Most Quest locations take walk-ins, so bring it with a photo ID.
What it measures
Not all LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, is the same. This test measures the cholesterol carried in small, dense LDL particles, which slip into artery walls more easily and can help build plaque, a fatty buildup.
Why it matters for women
Small, dense LDL can go along with high triglycerides, a type of blood fat, and insulin resistance, when your body doesn’t respond well to insulin. Both are common with PCOS. Your usual LDL number can look normal even when these particles are high, and cholesterol can shift after menopause.
You might check it if…
- you live with PCOS, insulin resistance or prediabetes
- your triglycerides run high or your “good” cholesterol runs low
- your LDL looks normal but heart disease runs in your family
What your result may mean
High sdLDL: what it may mean
High small dense LDL (sdLDL) may mean more of your LDL, or bad cholesterol, is carried in small, dense particles that can slip into artery walls and help plaque form (atherosclerosis). These particles can be more harmful than larger, fluffier LDL. High sdLDL can happen with insulin resistance, high triglycerides (hypertriglyceridemia) and metabolic syndrome, and it can turn up in women with PCOS or at menopause even when total LDL looks normal. You may not feel anything, but your triglycerides, blood sugar and cholesterol panel can help a clinician put it in context.
Low sdLDL: what it may mean
Low sdLDL may be a favorable result, and it may mean most of your LDL is carried in larger particles that can be less harmful. It may go along with healthy triglycerides and good insulin sensitivity, and cholesterol-lowering medicines can bring it down as well. A low value can't clear you of heart risk on its own, since total LDL, blood pressure, smoking and family history can still count. Cholesterol can change after menopause, so this number may shift with time.
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No insurance required · HSA/FSA eligible · No subscription
These notes provide context and do not diagnose a condition. Not yet available in NY, NJ, RI, HI, ND, SD or WV.