🫀 LDL Particle SizeGrade B

Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) Calculator

Assess cardiovascular risk through LDL particle size estimation — a logarithmic transformation of your TG/HDL ratio

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Atherogenic Index of Plasma

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AIP is calculated as log10(TG/HDL) in mmol/L. Negative values indicate very healthy profiles. This is for educational purposes only.

Based on peer-reviewed research·See the evidence →

Lipid Panel Context

AIP uses the same lipid values as TG/HDL ratio but applies a logarithmic transformation. This mathematical conversion correlates strongly with LDL particle size — a key driver of atherosclerosis. A negative AIP indicates HDL exceeds triglycerides, representing excellent cardiovascular protection.

The Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) is calculated as log₁₀(Triglycerides / HDL-C), where both values are expressed in mmol/L. Introduced by Dobiásová and Frohlich in 2001, this logarithmic transformation provides a powerful predictor of cardiovascular disease risk.

AIP reflects the balance between atherogenic (triglyceride-rich) and protective (HDL) lipoproteins. Research demonstrates it correlates strongly with small dense LDL particle size (r = 0.803), the cholesterol esterification rate, and overall plasma atherogenicity.

Unlike simple TG/HDL ratio, the logarithmic transformation of AIP creates a more linear relationship with cardiovascular outcomes and allows for negative values when HDL exceeds triglycerides — indicating very favorable lipid profiles.

**Primary candidates:** • Individuals with metabolic syndrome or its components • Those with elevated triglycerides (>150 mg/dL) • People with low HDL cholesterol (<40 mg/dL men, <50 mg/dL women) • Patients with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes • Those with family history of early cardiovascular disease **Clinical situations where AIP adds value:** • When LDL-C is "normal" but cardiovascular risk seems elevated • Assessing residual risk in patients on statin therapy • Monitoring response to lifestyle interventions • Evaluating cardiovascular risk in metabolic dysfunction

**Dietary approaches:** • Reduce refined carbohydrates and added sugars • Limit fructose (major driver of elevated triglycerides) • Increase omega-3 fatty acids (fatty fish, fish oil) • Consider carbohydrate restriction (particularly effective for high TG) **Lifestyle modifications:** • Regular aerobic exercise (raises HDL, lowers TG) • Achieve and maintain healthy body weight • Limit alcohol intake (significant impact on triglycerides) • Improve sleep quality and duration **Medical considerations:** • Fibrates and omega-3 prescriptions highly effective • Niacin raises HDL significantly • Statins modestly improve TG/HDL ratio • Address underlying conditions (hypothyroidism, diabetes)

AIP Interpretation

AIP interpretation varies by health context. Research uses different cutoffs for population-level screening versus clinical optimization:

Population-based risk stratification from Dobiásová validation studies

Standard Medical

Range	Category	What It Means
< 0.11	Low Risk	Large buoyant LDL particles, cardioprotective profile
0.11 – 0.21	Intermediate Risk	Mixed LDL particle size, moderate atherogenic potential
> 0.21	High Risk	Small dense LDL particles, increased atherosclerosis risk

Cardiovascular targets from large-scale outcome studies

Research Consensus

Range	Category	What It Means
< 0.00	Excellent	Negative AIP — HDL exceeds triglycerides, optimal protection
0.00 – 0.10	Optimal	Very low cardiovascular risk, favorable particle profile
> 0.10	Suboptimal	Some atherogenic potential, room for improvement

Expected excellent values due to TG reduction and HDL elevation

Metabolic Optimization

Range	Category	What It Means
< –0.10	Excellent	Typical for well-adapted low-carb, excellent TG/HDL
–0.10 – 0.10	Expected	Normal keto-adapted range, large LDL particles
> 0.10	Investigate	Unusual on strict keto — check for secondary causes

Learn more about lipid particle science and cardiovascular risk

Track Your AIP Progress

Frequently Asked Questions

AIP is the log₁₀ transformation of TG/HDL ratio (in mmol/L). This mathematical conversion creates a more linear relationship with cardiovascular risk, allows for negative values indicating excellent profiles, and correlates more precisely with LDL particle size. Both metrics use the same blood values but AIP is preferred in research settings.

Dobiásová M, Frohlich J. The plasma parameter log (TG/HDL-C) as an atherogenic index: correlation with lipoprotein particle size and esterification rate in apoB-lipoprotein-depleted plasma (FER(HDL)). Clin Biochem. 34(7):583-588. 2001. PMID: 11738396
Dobiásová M. AIP—atherogenic index of plasma as a significant predictor of cardiovascular risk: from research to practice. Vnitr Lek. 52(1):64-71. 2006. PMID: 16526201
Rabiee Rad M, Ghasempour Dabaghi G, Darouei B, Amani-Beni R. The association of atherogenic index of plasma with cardiovascular outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Cardiovasc Diabetol. 23(1):119. 2024. PMID: 38566139

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Medical Disclaimer

The AIP (Atherogenic Index of Plasma) calculator provided on Metabolicum is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

Last updated: December 2025

Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) Calculator