If you've ever had a "normal" cholesterol test but still worry about your heart health, you're not alone. Traditional lipid panels measure total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides, important numbers, but they don’t tell the full story. What’s missing? Particle size testing, a form of advanced cholesterol testing that gives a much deeper look into your cardiovascular risk.
This advanced approach helps identify hidden risks by analyzing the size and number of your cholesterol particles, especially LDL. At 417 Integrative Medicine, we use this testing to uncover what standard labs can’t, helping you take control of your heart health with clarity and confidence.
You’ve likely heard that LDL cholesterol is the “bad” cholesterol, but the story is more complex. Not all LDL is equally harmful. It turns out that LDL particle size and density are stronger predictors of cardiovascular disease than LDL concentration alone.
This means that two people with the same LDL level could have very different heart disease risks, depending on the size and type of LDL particles they carry.
Particle size testing is especially helpful for individuals who:
If you’ve been told your labs are fine but still feel like something’s off, or you’re managing multiple risk factors, this test may reveal the missing link.
Advanced cholesterol tests go beyond total cholesterol numbers and give you a detailed look at what’s happening inside your blood vessels.
This test measures LDL and HDL particle numbers and sizes, providing a direct analysis of cardiovascular risk.
Breaks down cholesterol into subtypes, including IDL and subclasses of LDL and HDL.
Measures particle concentration and size distribution using a charged particle field, ideal for detailed lipoprotein profiling.
These tools help us uncover risks that would otherwise be hidden, and they inform smarter treatment decisions tailored to your biology.
Once you know your particle size profile, your care plan becomes more focused, effective, and preventive.
This approach moves you beyond "treating numbers" and into root-cause resolution, the cornerstone of functional and integrative medicine.
Standard lipid panels were never designed to catch early cardiovascular dysfunction. You could have a normal LDL level but still be at high risk because of particle type. In fact, many heart attack survivors previously had what appeared to be “good” cholesterol numbers.
Particle size testing fills that gap by giving us:
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S., yet many cases are preventable with early, targeted care. The future of cholesterol testing isn’t just about numbers, it’s about personalization.
Expect to see:
While particle size testing gives us a deeper look into cardiovascular risk, it’s not the only piece of the puzzle. Experts like Dr. Steven Gundry, a former heart surgeon and bestselling author of The Plant Paradox, The Longevity Paradox, and Unlocking the Keto Code, have long emphasized the importance of addressing inflammation, gut health, and metabolic balance. Gundry’s approach highlights how certain foods — like sugar and lectin-rich plants — can fuel the same inflammatory patterns that lead to small, dense LDL particles. His protocols align with what we see in advanced lipid profiles: that nutrition and lifestyle, not just numbers, are key to preventing heart disease. Bringing these insights together allows for a more complete, root-cause strategy to support long-term heart health.
To illustrate how his philosophy overlaps with what we see in advanced lipid testing, here are a few of Dr. Gundry’s most relevant insights:
“Sometimes, the size of a lipoprotein is like a big fluffy tennis ball… Other times, it’s a nasty little atherogenic BB gun particle size one, those sizes matter.”
— Dr. Steven Gundry
“If cholesterol is rusty or rancid, then it has the potential to stick to blood vessels… So lowering oxidized LDL is a really important thing to do.”
— Dr. Steven Gundry
“I haven’t met a person who takes a statin drug to lower cholesterol that I can’t get off a statin once I teach them how to eat.”
— Dr. Steven Gundry
At 417 Integrative Medicine, we believe your cholesterol test should do more than provide numbers, it should reveal meaningful insights that empower you. That’s why we offer advanced lipid particle testing, along with personalized heart health strategies designed to reduce risk, improve energy, and support longevity.
Our cardiovascular programs include:
Don’t wait for symptoms. Let’s take a deeper look and protect your heart before problems arise. Schedule your consultation at 417 Integrative Medicine.
