Lipoprotein(a) Test

Learn more about your risk for heart disease and stroke with a simple blood test.

More than 80% of premature heart attacks and strokes are preventable.1 A high Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), level can lead to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) a... Read More

$49

Also pay with

Lipoprotein(a) Test

$49

Test Details

Sample Type: Blood

Collection Method: In person at a Labcorp location

Age: 18+

Results: 2-4 days from when your sample arrives at our lab.

HSA/FSA: Accepted

Test must be taken by purchaser

Preparation: No special preparation needed.

What's Tested

Lp(a)

This test measures the level of lipoprotein(a) in your blood, a type of “bad” cholesterol that is associated with an increased risk of heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions Lp(a) levels are often genetically determined and high Lp(a) levels run in families.

❮ ❯

It's more precise

An Lp(a) blood test can give you a more complete understanding of your risk for CVD than a standard cholesterol test that only measures your traditional LDL cholesterol levels.³

An Lp(a) blood test can give you a more complete understanding of your risk for CVD than a standard cholesterol test that only measures your traditional LDL cholesterol levels.³ Lp(a) particles are stickier than other types of LDL, so they may lead to blockages and blood clots in arteries.

It's genetic

High Lp(a) levels run in families. Lp(a) levels are 70% to 90% genetically determined.⁶ If you have a personal or family history of cardiovascular disease, have high LDL cholesterol or you’ve suffered more than one heart attack, this screening test may be right for you.

It provides insight

Many people with high Lp(a) do not have symptoms. Because your heart health is directly linked to your overall health, knowing all your risk factors allows you a better chance to take action.

This test in conjunction with other recommended health tests by your provider along with your clinical history can help you understand your cardiovascular risk.

References

1. Heart.org. CDC Prevention Programs (Heart Disease). May 18, 2018. https://www.heart.org/en/get-involved/advocate/federal-priorities/cdc-prevention-programs. Accessed April 19, 2023.

2. Labcorp. Lipoprotein(a) Test. 2021. https://www.labcorp.com/tests/120188/lipoprotein-a. Accessed April 19, 2023.

3. Medline Plus.gov. Cholesterol Levels: What is a Cholesterol Test? https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/cholesterol-levels/. Accessed April 19, 2023.

4. Medline Plus.gov. Familial hypercholesterolemia. https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/familial-hypercholesterolemia/. Accessed April 19, 2023.

5. Medline Plus.gov. Lipoprotein(a) Blood Test: What is a Lipoprotein(a) Blood Test? https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/lipoprotein-a-blood-test/. Accessed April 19, 2023.

6. Reyes-Soffer G, Ginsberg HN, Berglund L, et al. Lipoprotein(a): A Genetically Determined, Causal, and Prevalent Risk Factor for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. Published online October 14, 2021. doi:https://doi.org/10.1161/atv.0000000000000147

7. Lipoprotein (a) | CDC. www.cdc.gov. Published July 5, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/disease/lipoprotein_a.htm

❮ ❯

Purchase Your Test

Simply purchase this test online. A healthcare provider will review and approve your test requests; no healthcare provider visit is required.

Provide Your Sample

Visit a Labcorp location near you for sample collection. Visits may be scheduled online.

Get Your Results

View your easy-to-read results online in your Labcorp Patient™ account, including Linked Accounts. For certain results that require prompt attention, you will also be contacted by phone or mail.

Patient Service Centers

Labs in more than 2,000 locations across the country.

Find a Location Near You

Comprehensive Health Test

Start feeling your best with a comprehensive health blood test.

$169

Complete Heart Health Test (with ApoB)

Assess cardiovascular risk with a heart health test including a lipid panel, ApoB, DRI, and GlycA.

$169

Diabetes Risk (HbA1c) Test

This test helps determine if diabetes may be a concern for you.

$39

FAQ

Cholesterol is a waxy, fatty substance made by your liver. Your body needs it to build cells and make vitamins and other hormones. There is “good” and “bad” cholesterol in the body but too much cholesterol can pose a problem.

Lipoproteins include LDL, HDL, Lp(a). Lp(a) is a specific LDL that carries “bad” cholesterol to the cells in your arteries. A routine cholesterol test, also called a lipid profile or lipid panel, measures your LDL, HDL, total cholesterol, and triglycerides levels.3 However, the test doesn’t measure the number of each lipoprotein that can lead to heart disease, including Lp(a). Even if your LDL levels are in the normal range, Lp(a) levels may still be high. This means your risk for heart disease and stroke could still be high.
This test is appropriate for individuals who have certain health conditions or markers that indicate a high risk for atherosclerosis. These include people who have:

• A personal history of heart disease or stroke before 55 in men and 65 in women

• Female family members who had a heart attack or stroke before age 65

• Male family members who had a heart attack or stroke before age 55

• High LDL cholesterol, even though you take medicine to lower it
• Heart or blood vessel disease (especially if your cholesterol and triglyceride levels are normal without taking medicine to lower them)

• Familial hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol) ⁴
• A personal history of multiple heart attacks and/or procedures to open up blocked arteries⁵

The National Lipid Association published a clinical guideline in 2022 to recommend who should be tested. You can share this publication with your provider when discussing your results.
Your results will tell you the level of lipoprotein(a) in your blood sample. Lp(a) levels greater than or equal to 75.0 nmol/L may indicate a risk factor for heart disease.²

A high Lp(a) level indicates you may have an increased risk of heart attack, heart disease, stroke, and other diseases of the blood vessels. There are currently no targeted treatments to lower Lp(a) levels at this time. However, you should share any abnormal results with your healthcare provider to discuss other treatments (such as statins) or ways to reduce your overall risk of heart disease including lifestyle changes (such as well-balanced nutrition and physical activity).
Your results will be provided to you through our secure online portal to view or print. Results are also made available through a secure portal to the independent healthcare provider who placed your test order. If you are accessing your results through your Labcorp Patient™ account, all users linked to the account will have access to all OnDemand test results. Results may also be provided to a local, state, and/or federal health authority; for example, many states require the testing laboratory and physician to report test results for certain communicable diseases, such as COVID-19, to local or state health departments.

If you have questions or comments regarding the Labcorp Notice of Privacy Practices, or have a complaint about our use or disclosure of your PHI or our privacy practices, please contact: privacyofficer@labcorp.com, call us at (877) 234-4722 (877-23-HIPAA) and ask for the Labcorp HIPAA Privacy Officer, or send a written request to: HIPAA Privacy Officer, Labcorp, 531 South Spring Street, Burlington, NC 27215. You also may file a complaint with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Visit the Labcorp OnDemand® website to browse and purchase laboratory tests and create your Labcorp Patient™ account to view your results. All Labcorp OnDemand testing requires an order from an authorized healthcare professional. For your convenience, Labcorp OnDemand has contracted with independent professional entities (collectively, Providers) to deliver healthcare provider services. Visit a Labcorp location for sample collection; or, if using an at-home collection kit, collect your sample yourself. We’ll let you know when your results are ready and can be accessed through your Labcorp Patient™ account.

See More FAQs

Get 10% off your first test

Want health answers? Get started with 10% off your first test.* Sign up now to receive your discount.

Email Address

By submitting your email address, you agree to receive marketing emails from Labcorp OnDemand. See Labcorp’s Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. *Offer valid at ondemand.labcorp.com. Exclusions apply. Offer valid on first purchase only and cannot be applied to previous purchases or combined with any other offer. Limit one promo code per order. Valid in the U.S. only. Terms of the offer are subject to change.

Lipoprotein(a) Test

Learn more about your risk for heart disease and stroke with a simple blood test.

Test Details