| Triglycerides | |
| unit | mg/dL mmol/L |
VLDL is formed in the liver, and is 80% triglyceride, and is packaged with apoproteins and cholesterols to be exported into the blood stream. VLDL is later degraded into LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein).
Total Cholesterol = LDL + HDL + VLDL
VLDL is estimated by the following formula:
*Note that this formula is valid only when triglycerides are <=400 mg/dL (<=4.5 mmol/L). In cases where triglycerides are above this level, special testing techniques such as ultra centrifugation or beta-quantification test are needed.
Interpretation
The desirable level of VLDL in the blood is anything less than 40 mg/dL (<1.04 mmol/L).
References
Chan D C et al. Apolipoproteins C-III and A-V as predictors of very-low-density lipoprotein triglyceride and apolipoprotein B-100 kinetics. Aterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2006 Mar;26(3):590-6. Epub 2006 Jan
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Dinkel R E et al. In-vivo metabolism of VLDL-apolipoprotein-B, -CIII and -E in normolipidemic subjects. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2006 Apr;16(3):215-21. Epub 2005 Nov 2
Harada L M et al. CETP expression enhances liver HDL-cholesteryl ester uptake but does not alter VLDL and biliary lipid secretion. Atherosclerosis 2006 Jun 24; [Epub ahead of print]
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Sato I et al. The lipoprotein fraction between VLDL and LDL detected by biphasic agarose gel electrophoresis reflects serum remnant lipoprotein and Lp(a) concentrations. J Atheroscler Thromb. 2006 Feb;13(1):55-61
The Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults. Available at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/cholesterol/atp3xsum.pdf and update with 2004 changes at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/cholesterol/upd-info_prof.htm
WebMD®. Cholesterol and Triglycerides Tests. [Homepage on the Internet] ©2005-2006. Last updated on October 6, 2005. Last accessed on October 19, 2006. Available at URL: http://www.webmd.com/hw/cholesterol_management/hw207814.asp