Cardiovascular Health
because women's heart risk is not a smaller man's heart risk.
Standard lipids plus the advanced markers cardiologists actually use - ApoB (particle count), Lipoprotein(a), hs-CRP, and homocysteine. These are the numbers that predict events in women, especially after menopause, when risk rises sharply.
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Heart disease is the #1 killer of women - and most risk shows up after menopause.
Estrogen is cardioprotective; its withdrawal raises ApoB, LDL-C and Lp(a)-driven risk. Standard lipid panels miss the shift. ApoB counts the atherogenic particles directly - one ApoB per particle - and is a better single-number predictor of events than LDL-C.
The 58 biomarkers in this panel - and why each one.
Tap a marker to read the clinical note and the women-specific context.
Lipid Panel
The standard cardiovascular screening panel measuring total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides.
Apolipoprotein B
ApoB counts the total number of atherogenic particles (LDL, VLDL, IDL); a stronger predictor of cardiovascular events than LDL-C.
hs-CRP
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein measures systemic vascular inflammation, a key driver of atherosclerotic plaque rupture.
Homocysteine
An inflammatory amino acid produced from methionine; elevated levels damage the endothelium and increase clot risk.
Lipoprotein (a)
A genetically determined modified LDL particle with both atherogenic and pro-thrombotic properties; largely unaffected by diet.
White Blood Cell Count
Total count of white blood cells; the front-line defense of the immune system.
Red Blood Cell Count
Total red blood cell count; used alongside hemoglobin and hematocrit to assess anemia.
Hemoglobin
The oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells; the primary measure of anemia severity.
Hematocrit
The fraction of blood volume occupied by red blood cells.
MCV
Mean corpuscular volume — the average size of red blood cells; elevated in B12/folate deficiency, low in iron deficiency.
MCH
Mean corpuscular hemoglobin — the average amount of hemoglobin per red cell; low MCH is an early signal of iron depletion.
MCHC
Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration — classic for iron-deficiency anemia when low.
RDW
Red cell distribution width — measures variability in red cell size; elevated RDW reflects oxidative stress and mixed deficiencies.
Platelet Count
The circulating particles that initiate clotting; low counts increase bleeding risk, high counts can reflect inflammation or iron deficiency.
MPV
Mean platelet volume — larger platelets are more reactive; elevated MPV is associated with cardiovascular and thrombotic risk.
Absolute Neutrophils
Absolute count of neutrophils — the first responders to bacterial infection.
Absolute Band Neutrophils
Immature neutrophils (bands) — elevated counts (left shift) indicate acute bacterial infection or bone marrow stress.
Absolute Metamyelocytes
Immature granulocyte precursors; presence in blood indicates bone marrow stress or severe infection.
Absolute Myelocytes
Granulocyte precursors; circulating myelocytes indicate abnormal bone marrow release.
Absolute Promyelocytes
Very early granulocyte precursors; their presence in blood is abnormal and requires urgent evaluation.
Absolute Lymphocytes
Absolute count of lymphocytes — key mediators of adaptive immunity including T and B cells.
Absolute Monocytes
Absolute monocytes; these differentiate into macrophages and dendritic cells in tissue.
Absolute Eosinophils
Absolute eosinophils; respond to allergic reactions and parasitic infections.
Absolute Basophils
Absolute basophils — the rarest white cell, involved in allergic and inflammatory responses.
Absolute Blasts
Blast cells in peripheral blood; any presence is abnormal and requires immediate haematology referral.
Absolute Nucleated RBC
Nucleated red blood cells in peripheral blood; normally only present in foetal circulation and severe anaemia.
Neutrophils %
Percentage of neutrophils in the white cell differential; elevated in bacterial infection and stress.
Band Neutrophils %
Percentage of band (immature) neutrophils; elevated in acute bacterial infection.
Metamyelocytes %
Percentage of metamyelocytes; should be absent from normal peripheral blood.
Myelocytes %
Percentage of myelocytes; absent from normal blood.
Promyelocytes %
Percentage of promyelocytes; absent from normal blood.
Lymphocytes %
Percentage of lymphocytes in the white cell differential; reflects adaptive immunity.
Reactive Lymphocytes %
Atypical (reactive) lymphocytes; elevated in viral infections such as EBV and CMV.
Monocytes %
Percentage of monocytes; elevated in chronic infections and inflammatory conditions.
Eosinophils %
Percentage of eosinophils; elevated in allergic and parasitic conditions.
Basophils %
Percentage of basophils; mildly elevated counts can accompany allergic inflammation or thyroid disease.
Blasts %
Percentage of blasts; absent from normal blood. Any presence requires urgent evaluation.
Nucleated RBC %
Nucleated RBCs per 100 WBCs; should be absent in normal adults.
CBC Comment
Pathologist or automated comment on peripheral blood findings.
Glucose
Fasting serum glucose — the primary screen for diabetes and metabolic dysfunction.
Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
Blood urea nitrogen — a kidney filtration marker; elevated with dehydration or renal impairment.
Creatinine
Muscle waste product filtered by the kidneys; used to estimate GFR.
eGFR
Estimated glomerular filtration rate — the best single-number indicator of kidney function, calculated from creatinine using CKD-EPI.
BUN/Creatinine Ratio
The ratio of BUN to creatinine; helps distinguish pre-renal from intrinsic kidney causes of elevated BUN.
Sodium
Primary extracellular cation; regulates fluid balance and nerve/muscle function.
Potassium
Primary intracellular cation; critical for heart rhythm, muscle contraction, and nerve signalling.
Chloride
The main anion that balances sodium; used to evaluate acid-base and electrolyte status.
Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)
Serum bicarbonate reflecting the body's acid-base reserve; low values can indicate metabolic acidosis.
Calcium
Total serum calcium; critical for bone density, muscle contraction, and nerve signalling.
Protein, Total
Total serum protein (albumin + globulins); reflects overall nutritional status and liver and immune function.
Albumin
The most abundant serum protein; reflects liver synthetic function, nutrition, and systemic inflammation.
Globulin
Calculated globulin fraction (total protein minus albumin); includes immunoglobulins, clotting factors, and transport proteins.
Albumin/Globulin Ratio
The A/G ratio; a low ratio (reversed) can indicate autoimmune disease, liver disease, or malignancy.
Bilirubin, Total
The breakdown product of haemoglobin; elevated in liver disease, haemolysis, or bile duct obstruction.
Alkaline Phosphatase
Enzyme produced in liver and bone; elevated in cholestasis, bone disease, and pregnancy.
AST
Aspartate aminotransferase — liver and muscle enzyme; elevated with hepatocellular damage or intense exercise.
ALT
Alanine aminotransferase — the most specific liver enzyme; elevated in hepatitis, fatty liver, and medication toxicity.
hs-CRP
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein — the most sensitive blood measure of systemic low-grade inflammation.
Order this panel if any of these fit.
- 1You have a family history of early heart attack or stroke (under 55 for men, 65 for women)
- 2You're approaching or past menopause and want a risk baseline
- 3You've been told your LDL is 'fine' but want the particle-count check
- 4You have an autoimmune condition or chronic inflammation
Three steps, no waiting room.
Choose your panel and complete a 2-minute intake. We schedule your lab visit or at-home phlebotomy appointment right after checkout.
Choose a Quest Diagnostics lab visit or have a certified phlebotomist come to you (available in select ZIP codes at checkout). Draws take about 8 minutes.
Results in 5–7 days - a plain-language report with research-backed ranges for women and flags on anything that warrants follow-up. Share with your own clinician for interpretation.
Things people ask before ordering.
LDL-C measures the cholesterol content of particles; ApoB counts the particles themselves. Two people with identical LDL-C can have very different particle counts and very different risk. Major cardiology societies now consider ApoB the preferred target.
Claims on this page are grounded in peer-reviewed research and society guidelines.
- [1]American Heart Association: Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics - 2024 Update.Circulation, 2024
- [2]Tsimikas S. A Test in Context: Lipoprotein(a) - Diagnosis, Prognosis, Controversies.JACC, 2017
- [3]Mehta LS et al. Cardiovascular Considerations in Caring for Pregnant/Menopausal Patients.Circulation (AHA), 2020
- [4]Sniderman AD et al. Apolipoprotein B particles and cardiovascular disease: a narrative review.JAMA Cardiol, 2019
- [5]Ridker PM. C-Reactive Protein and the Prediction of Cardiovascular Events Among Women.NEJM, 2002
EllaDx panels are not a substitute for medical diagnosis. All results are reviewed by a licensed physician. Always consult a qualified clinician about changes to your care.