Cholesterol - VLDL (Plasma, Serum) During Pregnancy
Laboratory Tests
Obie Editorial Team
What is VLDL Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is more complex than many patients understand. While low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) are the most common, very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) are also part of total cholesterol. LDL is bad cholesterol and VLDL helps LDL stick to arterial walls. VLDL is the glue, so to speak, that makes bad cholesterol stay in place. High levels of VLDL could indicate increased risk of cholesterol build-up and heart disease. If VLDL and LDL are left unchecked, heart attack, stroke or death can occur.
Measuring VLDL can be difficult, so blood tests typically report VLDL levels as an estimated percentage of triglycerides.
Cholesterol is more complex than many patients understand. While low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) are the most common, very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) are also part of total cholesterol. LDL is bad cholesterol and VLDL helps LDL stick to arterial walls. VLDL is the glue, so to speak, that makes bad cholesterol stay in place. High levels of VLDL could indicate increased risk of cholesterol build-up and heart disease. If VLDL and LDL are left unchecked, heart attack, stroke or death can occur.
Measuring VLDL can be difficult, so blood tests typically report VLDL levels as an estimated percentage of triglycerides.
Normal Value Range
- Negative Pregnancy Adult: 6 to 40 mg/dL or 0.16 µmol/L
- Pregnancy Trimester One: 10 to 18 mg/dL or .026 to 0.47 µmol/L
- Pregnancy Trimester Two: 13 to 23 mg/dL or 0.34 to 0.6 µmol/L
- Pregnancy Trimester Three: 21 to 36 mg/dL or 0.54 to 0.93 µmol/L
