Blood draw
Lipoprotein Electrophoresis (incl. VLDL)
Lipoprotein electrophoresis; profile of VLDL/LDL/HDL.
€ 87,00
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Heart and vessels · Blood
VLDL lipoprotein
The fat particles that carry triglycerides from the liver; largely follows the triglyceride level.
At a glance
- Measured in blood
- In 1 test panel
- Check the preparation
Explanation
VLDL lipoprotein: what is measured?
Fats travel through the blood in small spheres called lipoproteins. VLDL (very low density lipoprotein) is made in the liver and mainly carries triglycerides to muscles and fatty tissue. Along the way it releases triglycerides and becomes smaller, until it eventually turns into LDL. Most laboratories do not measure VLDL directly but estimate the VLDL cholesterol from the triglyceride level; some laboratories measure the particles with a separate separation method.
What can it detect?
- A raised level of triglyceride-rich fat particles, such as with overweight, diabetes or a lot of alcohol
- Rarely: a hereditary disorder of fat metabolism
Result
What does the result mean?
VLDL lipoprotein too high
A raised value almost always goes together with raised triglycerides. That usually fits overweight, too little exercise, a diet high in sugar and fast carbohydrates, alcohol use, poorly controlled diabetes or an underactive thyroid. Having blood drawn without fasting also raises the value. VLDL particles and their remnants contribute to hardening of the arteries; non-HDL cholesterol, the measure of risk in the Dutch GP guideline (NHG) on cardiovascular risk management, already includes VLDL cholesterol. A raised value causes no symptoms itself.
VLDL lipoprotein too low
A low value fits low triglycerides and is usually favorable. Rarely, a very low value occurs with malnutrition, an overactive thyroid, a severe liver disease or a rare hereditary disorder. A low value causes no symptoms itself.
After an abnormal result
With a raised value, the GP looks at the triglycerides, non-HDL cholesterol, blood sugar, thyroid and lifestyle, and repeats the measurement fasting if needed. With an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, the approach follows the Dutch GP guideline (NHG) on cardiovascular risk management; with very high triglycerides, referral to an internist (specialist in internal medicine) sometimes follows.
Reliability
How reliable is the test?
If VLDL cholesterol is estimated from the triglycerides, the value adds nothing to the triglyceride level itself. A direct measurement also mainly gives a picture of the triglyceride-rich particles. There are no agreed target values for VLDL; the risk estimate in the Dutch GP guideline (NHG) on cardiovascular risk management uses non-HDL cholesterol, in which VLDL cholesterol is already included. According to the Dutch Society for Clinical Chemistry (NVKC), the way lipoprotein particle testing is carried out differs per laboratory, and it gives at most an indication of the chance of cardiovascular disease.
What can affect the result?
- Food and alcohol in the hours before the blood draw raise the value; the result is best interpreted with a fasting blood draw.
- An estimate from the triglycerides is unreliable with very high triglycerides.
- Methods differ per laboratory: an estimate and a direct measurement are not readily comparable.
- An underactive thyroid, diabetes, kidney diseases and some medicines (including estrogens, corticosteroids and beta blockers) raise the value.
Preparation
- Fasting is not required, but it gives the most accurate result: in that case do not eat for 12 hours before the sample is taken and drink only water. If the result is very high, have the test repeated while fasting.
- Do not drink alcohol the day before the sample is taken, because alcohol raises triglycerides.
Who it is for
Who is the test useful for?
Useful for
The result is mainly informative together with the full cholesterol panel, with raised triglycerides or when a hereditary disorder of fat metabolism is suspected. For estimating the risk of cardiovascular disease, non-HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and the other risk factors say more than the VLDL value alone.
How common is it?
Raised triglycerides, and with them a raised VLDL, are common, especially with overweight, diabetes and alcohol use. Cardiovascular disease is one of the main causes of death in the Netherlands. Dutch figures on a raised VLDL as a separate finding are lacking.
Dutch GP guideline (NHG) on cardiovascular risk management; no Dutch registration figure available for VLDL
Drawbacks and risks
- A rise due to having blood drawn without fasting can cause unnecessary worry or lead to unnecessary further testing.
Get tested
VLDL lipoprotein: test panels
VLDL lipoprotein is part of these test panels. You order online and have your blood drawn at a collection point or collect the sample at home.
Evidence
Sources
This explanation is based on Dutch guidelines and independent information. It is general information, not a diagnosis. Discuss an abnormal result with your GP.
More about risks and resultsMore explanations
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