Cardio IQ® Lipoprotein Fractionation, Ion Mobility Test
The Cardio IQ® Lipoprotein Fractionation, Ion Mobility test measures the size and concentration of LDL and HDL particles in a blood sample using ion mobility technology. Clinicians use particle size and count as part of a broader look at cardiovascular risk.
About this test
This panel reports several lipoprotein measurements beyond a standard cholesterol panel: HDL large, LDL medium, LDL small, LDL particle number, LDL pattern and LDL peak size. Quest analyzes a 1 mL serum sample using ion mobility, a method that separates lipoprotein particles directly by size and counts them.
Decreasing LDL particle size is associated with increased risk of premature heart disease, which is part of why this panel reports particle size and pattern alongside particle count. A single set of lipoprotein fractionation results describes one part of a person's cardiovascular picture; clinicians read it together with a standard lipid panel and other risk factors.
Who might consider this test?
- It often comes up in conversations about heart disease risk that go beyond total cholesterol and HDL or LDL numbers alone.
Test details
| Quest code | 91604 |
|---|---|
| Methodology | Ion Mobility |
| Sample type | 1 mL serum |
| Patient preparation | Fasting before your blood draw is preferred. Non-fasting is acceptable. |
| Collection | Quest patient service center |
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Quest resources
Additional details
What this test looks at
The panel reports HDL large, LDL medium, LDL small, LDL particle number, LDL pattern and LDL peak size, measured directly from a serum sample using ion mobility. Quest also lists this test under related names, including HDL Subfractions, IDL Subfractions and VLDL, Lipoprotein Fraction, which describe measurements from the same ion mobility method.
Order online and a physician order is included — no doctor's visit and no insurance needed. Your sample is collected at a Quest Diagnostics patient service center.
Laboratory results should always be interpreted by a licensed clinician who knows your health history. This page is information about a test, not medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Cardio IQ® Lipoprotein Fractionation test measure?
It measures the size and concentration of lipoprotein particles, including HDL large and several LDL subfractions, along with LDL particle number, pattern and peak size, using ion mobility on a serum sample.
How is the sample collected?
The test uses a 1 mL serum sample from a routine blood draw.
Do I need to prepare for this test?
Fasting before your blood draw is preferred. Non-fasting is acceptable. This is the preparation Quest publishes for this test; if your clinician gives you different instructions, follow theirs.
Why might a clinician look at LDL particle size?
Decreasing LDL particle size is associated with increased risk of premature heart disease, so a clinician may look at particle size and pattern as part of a broader cardiovascular risk conversation.
Can I get the Cardio IQ LIPO, ION, MOB test without a doctor's visit or insurance?
Yes. The $75 cash price includes an independent physician's order, so no referral is needed, and insurance is never involved.