HDL Particle Number (HDL-P)

What it isA direct count of HDL particles in circulation, measured by NMR spectroscopy. Reflects the capacity of the reverse cholesterol transport system more accurately than HDL-C alone.

DoesEach HDL particle is a workhorse — pulling cholesterol from peripheral tissues and ferrying it back to the liver.

GoodA higher particle count tracks better reverse transport and lower cardiovascular event rates.

BadLow HDL-P signals impaired clearance and metabolic syndrome and predicts cardiovascular risk even when HDL-C looks acceptable.