From the numbers I've see published, almost everyone (including me) on a low carb diet sees important numbers improve, especially TG/HLD-C. I think high triglycerides is mostly a marker for the unhealthy SAD (Standard American Diet) as endorsed by a licensed nutritionist or not.
Many low-carbers (including me) see "worsening" particle size, LDL-P, and LDL-C. For example, you can dig such "inconsistent" numbers out of the comments on Peter Attica's
The straight dope on cholesterol – Part V.
Peter Attica asks (in comments), "It is possible that all of the risk stratification we have for heart disease is predicated on someone consuming a normal Western diet?" [I wish he had put the disclaimer prominently in the body of the article.]
Similarly, the comments on Stephan Guyenet's
The Diet-Heart Hypothesis: Subdividing Lipoproteins, have a similar theme.
In those comments, Kurt G. Harris MD said, "I suggest following HBA1c, Triglycerides, HDL and (25) OH D levels to make sure one is on the right track. I think these four will prove to be the best predictors of mortality. I think LDL and total C can be safely ignored." I think that is best summary advice there is.
Basically, my conclusions (through study) are:
- TG/HDL-C ratio is important (as well A1c and OH D)
- TC, LDL-C, LDL-P, and particle size are irrelevant to low-carbers.
Basically, particle size is very noisy if you have a small amount of carbs (which is probably irrelevant to long-term health), and LDL is pure noise (except to those profiting from driving it to unhealthy, low values).