LDL cholesterol particle size (Liposcale®)
- Secondary relevance
Liposcale® blood test that uses nuclear magnetic resonance to measure the number, size and composition of the particles that carry cholesterol. It provides a detailed analysis of LDL, HDL and VLDL subclasses, although its usual value is limited compared with simpler measures such as ApoB.
No prescription or appointment needed
Results in 7-10 working days
Includes: Liposcale®. See what it measures
Secondary relevance. It is not the one I recommend to start with. It is here because it adds something in specific situations, but for most people it looks at more than is needed.
What it is for
It is used to study in detail how the particles that carry cholesterol are distributed and to identify discordances that are not visible when only LDL cholesterol is measured. It can add information in selected situations, for example when cardiovascular risk does not fit the conventional lipid profile.
If the goal is to assess the total number of atherogenic particles, ApoB is usually the first-choice test. It is simpler, it is part of the guidelines and it is included in the cardiovascular risk blood test with ApoB and Lp(a).
When it is recommended
- When you are specifically looking for the Liposcale® analysis or LDL particle size
- When there is a discordance between LDL cholesterol, ApoB and overall cardiovascular risk
- In selected cases with a strong family history and a conventional lipid profile that explains little
- It is not usually the first option for assessing cholesterol or for deciding on treatment
Clinical comment
Liposcale® uses a valid technique and provides real information about lipoproteins. The clinical question is whether that level of detail changes a decision. In most people, non-HDL cholesterol and ApoB allow atherogenic particles to be assessed without studying each subclass.
The European dyslipidaemia guidelines use LDL, non-HDL cholesterol and ApoB to set targets and guide treatment. They do not recommend routinely measuring particle size or subclasses. That is why we have reserved this test for people who specifically look for it, or for cases in which the conventional assessment leaves a relevant doubt.
Nor should the result be reduced to the idea that "large" LDL particles are good and "small" ones are bad. The total number of atherogenic particles remains essential, and that figure can be estimated more directly with ApoB. Precisely because of these limitations, this profile is marked as secondary relevance.
Dr. Antonio Mas
What is tested
• Liposcale®: Uses nuclear magnetic resonance to analyse the number, size and composition of lipoprotein particles, with their distribution across different subclasses.
- Liposcale® (number, size and composition of lipoprotein particles by nuclear magnetic resonance)
How to prepare
Fast for 8 to 12 hours. You can drink water. Avoid alcohol and intense exercise the day before, so as not to temporarily alter triglycerides and the distribution of lipoproteins.
You can add
Without another needle. It is offered when you order, so you do not have to decide now.
- General blood testA general blood test with full blood count, glucose, cholesterol and kidney and liver function: the basic parameters included in any general check-up.+€59.00
- General + nutritional blood testEverything in the general blood test (anaemia, kidneys, liver, cholesterol and glucose) plus iron stores, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and folic acid. It is the broadest add-on: it covers the general and the nutritional in one go.+€129.00
- Advanced lipid panelExtends standard cholesterol with ApoB, lipoprotein(a) and homocysteine, markers that refine the assessment of cardiovascular risk and are not usually measured routinely.+€59.00
- Sugar, insulin and inflammationAssesses insulin resistance through fasting insulin and the HOMA-IR index, plus average blood sugar over the last three months and low-grade inflammation.+€59.00
Related blood tests
We have other profiles in Heart and diabetes with more or fewer tests:
- Insulin resistance blood test (HOMA-IR)€59.00
- Blood test for diagnosing diabetes with a glucose tolerance test€79.00
- Fatty liver assessment (MASLD)€99.00
- Annual diabetes check€109.00
- Hypertension with an endocrine cause€149.00
- Cardiovascular risk blood test with ApoB and Lp(a)€179.00
The most comprehensive is not always the most useful. If you are not sure, the one we recommend to start with is Cardiovascular risk blood test with ApoB and Lp(a).
Often checked together with
They are done from the same sample, so there is no extra visit.
What it is based on
Mallol R, Amigó N, Rodríguez MA, et al. · Journal of Lipid Research 56(3):737-746
Liposcale: a novel advanced lipoprotein test based on 2D diffusion-ordered 1H NMR spectroscopy
This is the paper that describes and validates the method: it uses nuclear magnetic resonance to calculate the size of each class of particle and, from there, how many there are and what they contain. It was compared with the market reference test in 177 samples.
Mach F, Baigent C, Catapano AL, et al. · European Heart Journal 41(1):111-188
The European dyslipidaemia guidelines base decisions on LDL cholesterol and ApoB, and do not include particle subfractions in those decisions. That is why we recommend the advanced cardiovascular risk blood test, which includes ApoB, as the first step, and why this test remains an extra layer of detail on top.
Protocol designed by Dr. Antonio Mas, specialist in Endocrinology and Nutrition, Spanish medical licence no. 080846289, and reviewed in September 2026.
This blood test is a standardised protocol and does not replace a medical consultation. If you have symptoms, a known condition or a complex clinical situation, speak to your doctor.