Lipoprotein(a) (LP(A))

What is Lipoprotein(a)?

Lipoprotein(a), often written as Lp(a), is a type of lipoprotein particle similar to LDL cholesterol but with an additional protein called apolipoprotein(a) attached. Unlike other cholesterol markers that respond to diet and lifestyle changes, Lp(a) levels are almost entirely determined by genetics and remain relatively stable throughout life.

Why is it Tested?

Doctors order Lp(a) to assess inherited cardiovascular risk, particularly in people with family history of early heart disease, unexplained cardiovascular events, or when standard risk factors don’t explain clinical presentation. Since levels don’t change much with lifestyle modifications, it’s typically tested once to establish baseline risk rather than monitored regularly.

Normal Ranges

Reference ranges vary by lab and measurement method:

Normal: <30 mg/dL
Elevated: ≥30 mg/dL

Note: Some labs use nmol/L units, where elevated is typically considered >75 nmol/L.

Reference ranges vary by authority. Track yours across multiple standards with automatic unit conversions in LabsVault.

What do Abnormal Results Mean?

Abnormal results are not a diagnosis. Always discuss your results with a qualified healthcare provider before making any medical decisions.

Normal Lp(a)

Normal levels suggest this particular genetic cardiovascular risk factor is not contributing significantly to overall risk. However, other risk factors should still be managed appropriately.

High Lp(a)

Elevated Lp(a) indicates increased inherited cardiovascular risk and may suggest:

Higher risk of heart disease and stroke
Increased risk of aortic valve stenosis
Need for more aggressive management of modifiable risk factors
Consideration of family screening

How to Track Over Time

Since Lp(a) is genetically determined and doesn’t respond significantly to diet, exercise, or most medications, repeated testing is generally unnecessary unless monitoring response to specific therapies. The focus shifts to optimizing other modifiable risk factors like LDL cholesterol, blood pressure, and lifestyle factors when Lp(a) is elevated.

Lipoprotein(a)