NMR LDL-P is a management tool used in appropriate high-risk patients (type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, CVD risk equivalent, statin-treated patients) to adjudicate response to treatment and guide adjustment in therapy. It is used in conjunction with other lipid measurements and clinical evaluation to aid in the management of lipoprotein disorders associated with cardiovascular disease.

Patient should fast for 8 hours prior to sample collection

Fasting for a blood test

NMR Lipo vial/tube - 5mL

1. Collect specimen in NMR LipoTube (black-top tube), which is the preferred container.
2. Gently invert tube 8 to 10 times to mix contents

1. Allow specimen to clot for 30 minutes upright at room temperature prior to centrifugation

2. Spin within two hours of collection at 1800 xg (approximatley 3800 rpm) for 10 to 15 minutes to separate serum/plasma from the red cells and to avoid red cell contamination during shipment

3. Do NOT open NMR LipoTube (black-top).

NMR Lipo vial/tube - 5mL

Red serum vial/tube, 5 mL

Dk green heparin (Li or Na), no gel

Lavender (EDTA), 4mL

Red/lavender/green (no gel)

1. Allow specimen to clot for 30 minutes upright at room temperature prior to centrifugation (Plasma tubes should not clot). 

2. Spin specimen within two hours of collection at 1800 xg (approximatley 3800 rpm) for 10 to 15 minutes to separate serum/plasma from the red cells and to avoid red cell contamination during shipment.

3. Immediately after centrifugation, pipette separated serum or plasma into a transport tube and label accordingly (serum, heparin plasma, EDTA plasma).

NOTE: If the sample cannot be centrifuged immediately, the sample should be refrigerated (at 2 - 8°C) and centrifuged within 24 hours of collection. Centrifuging the specimen while still cold may negatively affect the migration of the gel to the serum/red cell interface and may increase the likelihood of specimens being contaminated with red cells during shipment. To ensure specimen integrity, all specimens should be centrifuged by the client, prior to transport to the laboratory.

Transfer vial/tube with cap - 12mL (LabCorp)

Refrigerated - 6 days

Frozen - NO

• Serum or plasma drawn in gel-barrier collection tubes other than the NMR LipoTube should NOT be used.
  • The NMR LipoTube is the only acceptable gel barrier tube.
• Unspun specimens
• Plasma/serum contaminated with red cells
• Citrated plasma (light blue-top tube)
• Gross hemolysis
• Specimen received in inappropriate container
• Specimen stored at room temperature for more than a total preanalytical time of 24 hours
• Specimen more than six days old

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)

An interpretive report will be provided

The NMR LipoProfile® test is an FDA-cleared blood test that directly measures the amount of LDL circulating in the body. "LDL" is low-density lipoprotein and has long been recognized as a major causal factor in the development of heart disease. Although the relationship of increased LDL particle number and plaque buildup in the artery wall has been known since the 1950s, a diagnostic test did not exist to measure LDL particle number (LDL-P). Historically, LDL cholesterol, or LDL-C, has been used to estimate LDL levels to assess a patient's LDL-related cardiovascular risk and judge an individual's response to LDL-lowering therapy. Today, a more reliable measure of LDL exists that directly counts the number of LDL particles a patient has using NMR technology.

Medical necessity