LDL Particle Number
Lipids marker
LDL-P
LDL Particle Number
Category: Lipids
Unit: nmol/L
Total number of LDL particles measured by NMR spectroscopy. More predictive of cardiovascular disease than LDL cholesterol concentration alone.
PED Notes
AAS significantly increase LDL particle number, even when LDL-C appears only mildly elevated. Oral 17-alpha-alkylated steroids have the most pronounced effect. Discordance between LDL-C and LDL-P is common in AAS users — LDL-P often reveals higher cardiovascular risk than LDL-C suggests. Combined with HDL suppression, this creates a highly atherogenic particle profile. Trenbolone is particularly harsh on lipoprotein particle counts.
When high
Supplements:
- Citrus Bergamot -- 500mg 2x/day
- Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) -- 2-4g/day (reduces particle number)
- Plant Sterols -- 2g/day with meals
Lifestyle:
- Regular cardio 3-5x/week (most effective intervention for particle reduction)
- Increase dietary fibre (oats, psyllium husk)
- If LDL-P >1600 on-cycle, consider shortening cycle or dropping oral AAS
- LDL-P >2000 warrants medical evaluation regardless of cycle status
Pharmacological options (when supplements insufficient):
- LDL-P responds to the same pharmacological stack as LDL-C and ApoB; see LDL and ApoB markers for detailed protocols
- Rosuvastatin 5-20mg/day, ezetimibe 10mg/day, bempedoic acid 180mg/day, PCSK9 inhibitors (alirocumab 75mg or evolocumab 140mg subQ q2 weeks)
- Statins reduce LDL-P proportionally more than LDL-C in many users, making them particularly valuable when discordance is present
- All require physician oversight and baseline liver/CK panel
History Chart
Reading History
Frequently Asked Questions
Reference Ranges
Standard Range
≥ 0 nmol/L
VitalMetrics Range
≥ 0 nmol/L