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Biomarkers · Chemical

Lipoprotein a

A lipoprotein (a) test measures the level of lipoprotein (a) in your blood.

Lipoprotein (a) Blood Test, MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

Lipoprotein(a) is one specific type of LDL, a group of lipoprotein particles. Genes control how much lipoprotein(a) the body makes, so the level largely reflects inherited makeup.

Also listed as
Lipoprotein (a)
Primary unit
nmol/L
LOINC codes
43583-4
Tests that measure Lipoprotein a
Labcorp 2, Quest Diagnostics 2

See why clinicians order the test

  • Clinicians order the test to better understand a person's risk for heart disease, stroke and other blood vessel diseases.

    Goal: Heart health

  • Clinicians usually order it when they suspect high cardiovascular risk or when high lipoprotein(a) levels run in the family.

    Goal: Heart health

  • A European consensus panel recommends testing Lp(a) at least once in adults and sees value in cascade testing for familial hypercholesterolaemia.

    Condition: Hypercholesterolemia

  • Clinicians may use the test to weigh the risks and benefits of cholesterol medicine for lowering heart and blood vessel disease risk.

    Goal: Heart health

Read with companion markers

  • LDL Chol Calc

    Clinicians read it with LDL cholesterol because an LDL result can look reassuring while much of that LDL is carried by lipoprotein(a) particles.

  • Apolipoprotein B

    Lipoprotein(a) particles also carry ApoB, but the review treats them as an exception in how strongly they drive atherosclerosis.

Check what can shift results

  • Physiology

    • Lipoprotein(a) usually reaches its adult level by age 5 and tends to stay about the same afterward.
    • Diet and exercise may not change lipoprotein(a) levels, since genes set how much the body makes.

Prepare for the test

  • Preparation for a lipoprotein(a) test varies depending on the lab that performs it.
  • Labs usually ask for a fast of 9 to 12 hours, with no eating or drinking, before the blood draw.
  • MedlinePlus advises telling the provider about alcohol, niacin supplements, aspirin, or oral estrogen hormones before testing.

Each statement links to the source we wrote it from. Last updated October 19, 2026.

Ranges

Compare the reference ranges labs publish with guideline targets, diagnostic cut-offs, study-based ranges and practitioner targets. Move across the rows to check a value against each range, and open a source from the legend. How to read these ranges

Lipoprotein a, nmol/L

Labs
Cut-offs
  • Lab reference ranges2 labs
  • Diagnostic cut-offs4 cut-offs
All 6 published ranges, with sources

Lab reference ranges

Diagnostic cut-offs

Tests

Check the catalog code, specimen, method and preparation for every test that measures Lipoprotein a. Select up to five tests to compare them side by side.

Labcorp 2 tests

Single-analyte tests

  • Lipoprotein(a) 120188

    Serum · Fasting not stated · Turnaround 2 - 4 days

    Method and collection
    Method
    Immunoturbidimetric
    Preparation
    Intake of alcohol, aspirin, niacin and estrogen supplements have the potential of causing a misrepresentation of true Lp(a) concentrations.
    Collection
    Separate serum or plasma from cells as soon as possible (within two hours).
    Reference notes
    Concentration | Risk <75 nmol/L | Low Lp(a)-attributable ASCVD risk 75 – <125 nmol/L | Intermediate Lp(a)-attributable ASCVD risk ≥125 nmol/L High Lp(a)-attributable ASCVD risk, with increasing risk with higher Lp(a) values
    Labcorp catalog page

Panels that include this biomarker

  • Heart Disease and Stroke Risk Profile 500140

    4 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated · Turnaround 2 - 5 days

    Method and collection
    Method
    See individual tests.
    Preparation
    Do not draw from an arm with a heparin lock or heparinized catheter.
    Collection
    Citrated plasma samples should be collected by double centrifugation. Blood should be collected in a blue-top tube containing 3.2% buffered sodium citrate.1 Evacuated collection tubes must be filled to completion to ensure a proper blood to anticoagulant ratio.2,3 The sample should be mixed immediately by gentle inversion at least six times to ensure adequate mixing of the anticoagulant with the blood. A discard tube is not required prior to collection of coagulation samples, except when using a winged blood collection device (ie, "butterfly"), in which case a discard tube should be used.4,5 When noncitrate tubes are collected for other tests, collect sterile and nonadditive (red-top) tubes prior to citrate (blue-top) tubes. Any tube containing an alternate anticoagulant should be collected after the blue-top tube. Gel-barrier tubes and serum tubes with clot initiators should also be collected after the citrate tubes. Centrifuge for 10 minutes and carefully remove 2/3 of the plasma using a plastic transfer pipette, being careful not to disturb the cells. Deliver to a plastic transport tube, cap, and recentrifuge for 10 minutes. Use a second plastic pipette to remove the plasma, staying clear of the platelets at the bottom of the tube. Transfer the plasma into a Labcorp PP transpak frozen purple tube with screw cap (Labcorp No. 49482). Freeze immediately and maintain frozen until tested. To avoid delays in turnaround time when requesting multiple tests on frozen samples, please submit separate frozen specimens for each test requested. Please print and use the Volume Guide for Coagulation Testing to ensure proper draw volume.
    Labcorp catalog page

Quest Diagnostics 2 tests

Single-analyte tests

  • Cardio IQ® Lipoprotein (a) 91729

    Serum · Fasting not stated · Turnaround Set up: Sun, Tues, Thurs

    Method and collection
    Method
    Immunoturbidmetric
    Reference notes
    <75 nmol/L Risk nmol/L Optimal <75 Moderate 75-125 High >125 Cardiovascular event risk category cut points (optimal, moderate, high) are based on Tsimikas S. JACC 2017;69:692-711.
    Quest Diagnostics catalog page

  • Lipoprotein (a) 34604

    Serum · Fasting not stated

    Method and collection
    Method
    Immunoturbidimetric
    Reference notes
    <75 nmol/L Risk nmol/L Optimal <75 Moderate 75-125 High >125 Cardiovascular event risk category cut points (optimal, moderate, high) are based on Tsimikas S. JACC 2017;69:692-711.
    Quest Diagnostics catalog page

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Goals and conditions

We link Lipoprotein a to these goals and conditions from named guidelines and studies.

Sources

Check the guidelines, studies and lab catalogs behind every range and link on this page. Open a source to see each claim it backs.

Clinical guidelines

Studies

Lab catalogs

Reference sources

Codes and registries

Verify these ranges and sources

We compile this page from named laboratory catalogs, guidelines and studies. Labs calculate reference intervals from the people they test, for one assay method and one population group, so an interval describes that population rather than an optimal target.

Interpret your own results with a licensed clinician, or track your lab history and health goals in Aumnivida.

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