Get tested with Superpower

If you’ve been postponing blood testing for years or feel frustrated by doctor appointments and limited lab panels, you are not alone. Standard healthcare is often reactive, focusing on testing only after symptoms appear or leaving patients in the dark.

Superpower flips that approach. We give you full insight into your body with over 100 biomarkers, personalized action plans, long-term tracking, and answers to your questions, so you can stay ahead of any health issues.

With physician-reviewed results, CLIA-certified labs, and the option for at-home blood draws, Superpower is designed for people who want clarity, convenience, and real accountability - all in one place.

Key benefits of Small LDL P testing

• Reveals the number of small, dense LDL particles that penetrate arteries easily.
• Spots hidden cardiovascular risk even when standard cholesterol looks normal.
• Guides statin or lifestyle therapy by showing true particle burden.
• Tracks treatment response more precisely than LDL cholesterol alone.
• Flags metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance before diabetes develops.
• Clarifies why some people with "good" cholesterol still have heart disease.
• Best interpreted with ApoB, triglycerides, and HDL for complete lipid assessment.

What is Small LDL P?

Small LDL P measures the number of small, dense low-density lipoprotein particles circulating in your blood. These are a specific subtype of LDL cholesterol carriers that are physically smaller and more compact than their larger, fluffier counterparts.

Tiny particles, big implications

Small LDL particles form when the body's metabolism shifts in response to factors like insulin resistance, high triglycerides, or excess carbohydrates. Their compact size allows them to penetrate artery walls more easily than larger LDL particles.

A window into particle behavior

This biomarker reflects how your body packages and transports cholesterol. A higher count of small, dense LDL particles suggests a metabolic pattern that may increase cardiovascular risk, independent of total cholesterol levels. It captures a dimension of lipid metabolism that standard cholesterol tests often miss.

Why is Small LDL P important?

Small LDL particle count measures the number of the smallest, densest LDL cholesterol particles circulating in your blood. These particles penetrate artery walls more easily than larger LDL particles, driving plaque formation and inflammation that narrows vessels supplying your heart, brain, and limbs. Unlike standard cholesterol tests, this marker reveals the atherogenic particle burden that directly accelerates cardiovascular disease.

Small particles slip through artery walls faster

When small LDL particle counts run low - typically below 200 nmol/L - your LDL cholesterol tends to exist as larger, more buoyant particles that pose less vascular threat. This pattern often accompanies metabolic health, stable blood sugar, and lower triglycerides. Most people feel no symptoms, but the cardiovascular system benefits from reduced arterial injury over decades.

High counts signal hidden cardiovascular risk

Elevated small LDL particle counts, often above 600 nmol/L, reflect insulin resistance, high triglycerides, and a shift toward dense, penetrating particles. This pattern appears frequently in metabolic syndrome, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes. Even with normal total cholesterol, high small LDL P increases heart attack and stroke risk. Women after menopause and men over 40 show higher susceptibility.

The metabolic web connects lipids and glucose

Small LDL P integrates lipid metabolism, glucose control, and inflammation into one window. It helps explain why some people with "normal" cholesterol still develop heart disease. Tracking this biomarker alongside triglycerides, HDL, and insulin offers a clearer picture of long-term vascular health and metabolic resilience.

What do my Small LDL P results mean?

Low small LDL particle count

Low values usually reflect a metabolic pattern with fewer small dense LDL particles, often seen when insulin sensitivity is preserved and triglycerides are well controlled. This pattern is generally associated with lower cardiovascular risk, as small LDL particles are more prone to oxidation and arterial penetration than larger, buoyant LDL. Women and younger adults tend to have lower small LDL P counts on average.

Optimal small LDL particle count

Being in range suggests metabolic balance with minimal conversion of large LDL into small dense particles. Optimal values typically sit toward the lower end of the reference range, reflecting efficient lipid metabolism and stable blood sugar regulation. This pattern supports vascular health and indicates that triglyceride-rich lipoproteins are being cleared effectively.

High small LDL particle count

High values usually reflect insulin resistance, elevated triglycerides, or metabolic syndrome. When triglyceride-rich VLDL particles are abundant, they exchange lipids with LDL, creating smaller, denser particles that carry greater atherogenic potential. This pattern is more common in men, postmenopausal women, and individuals with central adiposity or prediabetes.

Factors that influence small LDL particle levels

Small LDL P is strongly influenced by carbohydrate intake, body composition, and hormonal status. Pregnancy and certain medications may shift particle distribution. Advanced lipid testing methods vary by platform, so reference ranges differ across laboratories.