VLDL Lipoprotein Electrophoresis Cholesterol

This test involves measuring VLDL (VLDL = Very low density lipoprotein) from serum. This test is also called the Lipoprotein electrophoresis.

Lipids, Triglycerides and cholesterol are both part of the "family of fats" (also called lipids), but have different functions.

Cholesterol is a fatty substance used by the body to make hormones and vitamin D and this is found in the membrane that surrounds cells. Cholesterol and triglycerides in their pure forms cannot mix with blood. As a result, they are joined by proteins, also called lipoproteins.

Lipoproteins move cholesterol and triglycerides through the bloodstream. There are three types of lipoproteins. There are low-density lipoproteins (LDL), very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), and high-density lipoproteins (HDL). LDL, also called LDL cholesterol, is considered the ''bad'' type of lipoprotein because it contributes to the accumulation of plaque in the arteries. HDL cholesterol is considered good because it actually removes LDL cholesterol from the arteries.The VLDL cholesterol test is done daily.