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LLP+™ is an extensive specialty blood test, performed at Spectracell Laboratories (http://www.spectracell.com/) that determines the size and presence of lipoproteins such as LDL, HDL, RLP, and Lipoprotein (a). The size of the LDL and HDL particles are more valuable measures of risk than the total number measured. The smaller the size of the LDL, the more likely it will invade the arterial wall and increase plaque formation. The LPP+™ plus evaluates the presence of LDL III and LDL IV, the smallest LDL particles, to determine if they are contributing to atherosclerosis. This is not accounted for on the standard cholesterol panel.

The LLP+™ measures another important marker, Lipoprotein (a), which is a direct cause of plaque growth and plaque rupture that can lead to a heart attack. RLP is considered to be one of the most harmful lipoproteins. Elevated RLP has been found in survivors of heart attacks.  These again are not assessed using the standard cholesterol tests. Other tests included in the panel, which are helpful to evaluate risk and determine treatment, include C-reactive Protein(CRP), Homocysteine, and Insulin.