Remnant cholesterol
What it measures, and what changes the number.
Remnant cholesterol is the cholesterol carried in triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, such as very low density lipoproteins and the leftover particles formed as the body breaks them down. Most labs do not measure it directly; they calculate it by subtracting HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol from total cholesterol.
Because it is derived from the standard lipid panel, it is read alongside total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and it overlaps closely with VLDL cholesterol. How the LDL figure was obtained (calculated with a formula or measured directly) changes the remnant value.
Recent meals raise triglyceride-rich particles, so whether the sample was taken fasting or non-fasting affects the result. Some labs offer a direct assay, which may not match the calculated figure. Reports may list it as Remnant Cholesterol.
Often read alongside: Total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, Triglycerides, VLDL cholesterol