# Low-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (Direct)

> This test directly measures the amount of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), often known as "bad" cholesterol, in your blood. It is specifically used to accurately assess your risk for heart disease when you have not fasted or if you have high triglyceride levels that make standard calculations inaccurate. This measurement helps determine if you have an elevated risk of plaque buildup in your arteries. However, this test alone cannot diagnose a heart attack or identify the specific cause of high cholesterol.

- Labcorp code: 120295
- Category: [Heart & Metabolic](https://app.picardo.health/labs/tests/heart-metabolic.md)
- Price: shown at checkout, before payment.
- Blood draw: free at a Labcorp location, or $75.00 at home.
- Order link: https://app.picardo.health/labs/order?tests=120295&ref=assistant

## About ordering

A licensed physician reviews every order before any test is run, and results arrive in the person's Picardo account. Ordering is open to adults 18 and over in the US, except New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Massachusetts, Hawaii and Maine. General health information, not medical advice.