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Functional Cardiology Quincy IL San Antonio TX

What Is Advanced Lipid Testing in Functional Medicine?

Introduction

In functional medicine, we focus on finding and addressing the root causes of health issues, not just treating symptoms. One important tool is advanced lipid testing, which goes far beyond the standard cholesterol panel you may have had in the past.

A basic lipid panel typically measures:

  • Total cholesterol

  • LDL (“bad” cholesterol)

  • HDL (“good” cholesterol)

  • Triglycerides

While helpful, this test gives only part of the picture. It measures how much cholesterol is present but not the size, type, or behavior of the particles carrying it. That’s where advanced lipid testing comes in.

Why Advanced Lipid Testing Matters

Advanced testing looks deeper—examining the size, number, and types of lipid particles (lipoproteins). This provides more accurate insight into heart health risks, especially for people with:

  • Diabetes

  • Metabolic syndrome (a cluster of high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and excess abdominal fat)

  • A family history of heart disease

It’s also valuable for monitoring how well lifestyle changes, supplements, or medications are working.

Examples of advanced lipid tests include:

  • NMR LipoProfile (LabCorp)

  • LipoMap by NMR (Boston Heart Diagnostics)

Why Use Advanced Testing Like LipoMap by NMR?

Think of your blood lipids like cars on a highway:

  • Standard cholesterol tests count the cargo (cholesterol).

  • Advanced lipid tests count the cars (lipid particles) and check their size.

Research shows that particle number and size often predict heart risk more accurately than cholesterol levels alone—especially for people whose standard cholesterol results look “normal” but who still face cardiovascular risks.

The LipoMap test uses NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) technology to scan and map out your lipids. It provides a comprehensive view, guiding personalized care such as:

  • Adjusting diet to reduce small, dense LDL particles

  • Adding targeted supplements

  • Monitoring treatment effectiveness

Key Components of the LipoMap Test

The LipoMap by NMR measures over 30 components, grouped into categories. Here are the main ones explained in simple terms, with general reference ranges. (Note: your doctor will personalize these based on your history.)

1. Basic Lipids

These are similar to a standard panel but measured more accurately.

  • Total Cholesterol (TC): <200 mg/dL optimal; >240 mg/dL high risk

  • Direct LDL-Cholesterol (LDL-C): <100 mg/dL optimal; >160 mg/dL high risk

  • HDL-Cholesterol (HDL-C): >50 mg/dL (men) / >60 mg/dL (women) optimal

  • Triglycerides (TG): <150 mg/dL optimal; >200 mg/dL high risk

  • Non-HDL-C: <130 mg/dL optimal; >190 mg/dL high risk

  • IDL-C: <7 mg/dL optimal; >12 mg/dL high risk

  • VLDL-C: <30 mg/dL optimal; >40 mg/dL high risk

2. Apolipoproteins (Lipid-Carrying Proteins)

  • Apolipoprotein B (ApoB): <80 mg/dL optimal; >120 mg/dL high risk

  • Apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I): >160 mg/dL (men) / >180 mg/dL (women) optimal

  • Apolipoprotein A-II (ApoA-II): >32–35 mg/dL optimal

3. Lipid Ratios

  • TC/HDL Ratio: <4 (no heart disease) or <3 (with heart disease) is optimal

  • ApoB/ApoA-I Ratio: <0.6 optimal; >0.9 higher risk

4. Particle Numbers

This is one of the biggest advantages of NMR testing.

  • Total ApoB-Carrying Particle Number: <1400 nmol/L optimal

  • LDL Particle Number (LDL-P): <1200 nmol/L optimal

  • IDL-P: <70 nmol/L optimal

  • VLDL-P: <120 nmol/L optimal

  • LDL Subparticles (LDL1-P to LDL5-P): Smaller, dense LDL3–LDL5 are most harmful

5. Particle Sizes

  • Small LDL particles (Pattern B): higher risk

  • Large LDL particles (Pattern A): lower risk

The LipoMap reports average LDL, HDL, and VLDL sizes, giving a nuanced picture of cardiovascular risk.

Summary

The LipoMap by NMR offers a detailed, personalized roadmap of your lipid profile, far beyond the standard cholesterol panel.

Compared with other advanced tests like the NMR LipoProfile, the LipoMap provides broader insights, including apolipoproteins and subparticle breakdowns. This information can help guide:

  • Tailored nutrition strategies

  • Lifestyle interventions

  • Medication or supplement choices

By revealing hidden risks that a standard cholesterol test misses, advanced lipid testing empowers you and your clinician to take a proactive, preventive approach to heart health.


Dr. Yoon Hang Kim, MD is a board-certified physician specializing in integrative and functional medicine, dedicated to uncovering root causes and providing personalized healing for chronic and complex conditions. He is a recognized expert in Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) therapy and offers telemedicine services across multiple states—including Quincy, IL and throughout Illinois, San Antonio and all of Texas, Missouri, Florida, and Atlanta as well as the rest of Georgia.

 
 
 

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