Lp(a)

Also Known As

Lipoprotein "little a"

Formal Name

Lipoprotein (a)

This article was last reviewed on

31 October 2024.

This article waslast modified on 8 December 2024.

At a Glance

Why Get Tested?

As part of a targeted screen for cardiovascular disease (coronary artery disease (CAD) and cerebrovascular disease) risk assessment.

When To Get Tested?

Your doctor may request Lp(a) measurement if you have a family history of premature cardiovascular disease or elevated Lp(a) or if you develop cardiovascular disease at a young age, particularly in the absence of conventional risk factors

Sample Required?

A blood sample taken from a vein in your arm

Test Preparation Needed?

No test preparation is needed.

On average it takes 7 working days for the blood test results to come back from the hospital, depending on the exact tests requested. Some specialist test results may take longer, if samples have to be sent to a reference (specialist) laboratory. The X-ray & scan results may take longer. If you are registered to use the online services of your local practice, you may be able to access your results online. Your GP practice will be able to provide specific details.

If the doctor wants to see you about the result(s), you will be offered an appointment. If you are concerned about your test results, you will need to arrange an appointment with your doctor so that all relevant information including age, ethnicity, health history, signs and symptoms, laboratory and other procedures (radiology, endoscopy, etc.), can be considered.

Lab Tests Online-UK is an educational website designed to provide patients and carers with information on laboratory tests used in medical care. We are not a laboratory and are unable to comment on an individual's health and treatment.

Reference ranges are dependent on many factors, including patient age, sex, sample population, and test method, and numeric test results can have different meanings in different laboratories.

For these reasons, you will not find reference ranges for the majority of tests described on this web site. The lab report containing your test results should include the relevant reference range for your test(s). Please consult your doctor or the laboratory that performed the test(s) to obtain the reference range if you do not have the lab report.

For more information on reference ranges, please read Reference Ranges and What They Mean.

What is being tested?

Lp(a) is a risk factor for heart disease especially when LDL cholesterol is also raised. Lp(a) is a lipoprotein comprising a lipid rich core surrounded by two proteins, apolipoprotein B100 and apolipoprotein (a).

Lp(a) may accelerate atherosclerotic damage (atheroma) by increasing the size of plaque/atheroma in artery walls. It is retained in the artery wall more than LDL cholesterol as it binds to the artery lining through...

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