Lipoprotein(a) is a genetically determined cardiovascular risk factor. Elevated Lp(a) increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, and aortic valve disease independent of LDL cholesterol.
Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is a cholesterol-carrying particle similar to LDL but with an additional protein called apolipoprotein(a) attached. Your Lp(a) level is largely determined by your genetics and remains stable throughout your life.
What makes Lp(a) important:
- It's an independent risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and aortic stenosis
- 20-30% of people have elevated Lp(a), often without knowing
- It's not included in standard lipid panels, so it requires specific testing
- High Lp(a) can explain heart disease even when LDL appears controlled
- It has both atherogenic (plaque-building) and thrombotic (clot-promoting) effects
The European Atherosclerosis Society and American Heart Association recommend that everyone get their Lp(a) tested at least once in their lifetime, as it's a valuable piece of your cardiovascular risk puzzle that standard cholesterol testing misses.
Price
$18
Results
2-3 days
Lab Network
Quest
Fasting
Not Required
What's Measured
What This Test Measures
This test measures the concentration of Lp(a) in your blood, typically reported in mg/dL or nmol/L. Desirable: <30 mg/dL (<75 nmol/L). Borderline: 30-50 mg/dL (75-125 nmol/L). Elevated: >50 mg/dL (>125 nmol/L). Very high Lp(a) can exceed 100 mg/dL (250 nmol/L).
Who Should Consider This Test
Everyone should test Lp(a) at least once (per current guidelines). Especially important for people with family history of early heart disease, those with heart disease despite normal LDL, individuals with familial hypercholesterolemia, and anyone wanting a complete cardiovascular risk assessment.
Health Insights
Conditions Screened
Related Symptoms
When to Get Tested
No fasting required. Since Lp(a) is genetically determined and stable throughout life, you typically only need to test once. Repeat testing is only needed if your first result was borderline or if you start Lp(a)-lowering therapy (currently limited options).
Understanding Your Results
Lp(a) <30 mg/dL (<75 nmol/L) is considered desirable. Levels >50 mg/dL (>125 nmol/L) significantly increase cardiovascular risk. Very high levels (>100 mg/dL) may warrant aggressive management of other risk factors. Unlike LDL, lifestyle changes have minimal effect on Lp(a).
What to Expect
After placing your order, you'll receive an email from Rupa Health (our lab order partner) within 24 business hours to sign a consent form and schedule your blood draw at a Quest Diagnostics location.
The blood draw typically takes just a few minutes. Results are usually available within 2-3 business days and will appear in your secure Justlabs dashboard.
Our results include reference ranges and easy-to-understand indicators showing whether your values are within normal limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
$18
Typical hospital cash price: $200–$400
+ $28 in standard lab & physician fees at checkout (no additional bills later)
$18 lab collection + $10 physician order
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