Lipoprotein(a) Test (Lp(a)) | Assess Risk for Heart Disease

What

This test measures lipoprotein(a).

Who

This panel is for anyone with a family or personal history of ASCVD. Must be 18 years of age to purchase.

How

Blood

Where

Find a location near you

Schedule an appointment, then visit a Quest Diagnostics patient service center location.

About the test

The Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), test measures the level of lipoprotein(a) in your blood. Lp(a) is a type of LDL-like particle that carries cholesterol and is largely determined by genetics. Elevated Lp(a) levels are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack, stroke, and aortic valve disease. Unlike standard cholesterol levels, which can change with diet and lifestyle, Lp(a) levels are mostly inherited and tend to remain stable throughout adulthood. While all ethnic groups are affected, elevated Lp(a) is more common in African Americans and South Asians. Lp(a) levels may also rise in women and remain raised after menopause when estrogen levels decrease. Acute illness may also cause a temporary change in your level. Most people with high levels of lipoprotein(a) don't know they are affected and this test is not typically included in a routine lipid panel.

Once you’ve had your Lp(a) level measured, you won’t usually need to have it checked again, unless advised otherwise by your healthcare provider. If the results show you have higher than normal levels of lipoprotein(a), you and your healthcare provider should work together to help determine next steps.

No doctor’s visit needed. Buy this Lp(a) blood test and visit a nearby Quest location.

This test may be right for you if:

You have a personal history of ASCVD as a young adult
You have a family history of premature ASCVD
You want to better understand your risk of a heart attack, heart disease, stroke, and other diseases of the blood vessels
You are seeking a more complete picture of cardiovascular risk
You have high LDL cholesterol levels

Quest offers multiple tiers of heart-related and cholesterol (lipid) testing depending on your needs:

Cholesterol (Lipid) Panel, which measures total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, cholesterol/HDL ratio, and non-HDL cholesterol
High-Risk Heart Health Lipid and Lp(a) Test Panel, which is an extended lipid panel, measures total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, cholesterol/HDL ratio, non-HDL cholesterol as well as lipoprotein(a)
Advanced Heart Health Test Panel (with ApoB), which measures cholesterol, triglycerides, and hs-CRP levels as well as advanced biomarkers relevant to heart health

Lipoprotein(a) is a low-density lipoprotein that transports cholesterol throughout the body. Too much of it can cause cholesterol to build up in your blood vessels, forming plaques and reducing blood flow to your brain, heart, and other body parts.

Lipoprotein(a) may not have signs and symptoms. However, in many cases high lipoprotein(a) can increase the risk for a heart attack or stroke. A blood test is the only way to know for sure if you have high lipoprotein(a).

Purchaser: You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a test on questhealth.com.

Patient: This test can be performed on patients between 18 and 100 years old.

Sample collection: This test requires specimen collection at a Quest Diagnostics location or through Quest Mobile® where available, a convenient option for in-home sample collection*. Collection not available in AZ or HI.

*Check your zip code here for service availability, not available in all locations. Quest Mobile is currently only available for individuals ages 18+.

No special preparation is required.

After you provide your specimen, it generally takes up to 8 business days to process and release your test results. However, processing times may vary. Your test results will be available in a clear and easy-to-read report. If you have or create a MyQuest® account, you may be able to review your new results there with your other Quest results. If your results differ from expected ranges, you may receive an alert call from an independent healthcare coordinator. Independent healthcare providers are available to discuss questions or concerns you may have regarding your results.

How it works

questhealth.com offers 150+ consumer-initiated Quest Diagnostics lab tests to empower you to have more control over your health journey. Choose from a variety of test types that best suit your needs.

In-person
In-home sample collection

1

Buy a lab test

No doctor visit is required for purchase, but an independent healthcare provider is involved throughout the process.

Shop now

2

Register your test
& schedule an appointment

Book a visit to one of 2000+ Quest locations.

Register your test

3

Visit Quest for sample collection

Complete your test sample collection during your scheduled appointment.

4

Get fast results

Access results online as soon as they’re available. You will be emailed when they are ready. Discuss your results with an independent healthcare provider at no extra cost. Treatment options may be available.

1

Buy a lab test
+ in-home sample collection

No doctor visit required for purchase. If in-home service is available in your area, purchase for an additional $79 fee.

Buy now

2

Register your test
& schedule an appointment

After you make a purchase, register your test and Quest Mobile will contact you to schedule an in-home sample collection appointment.

Register your test

3

In-home sample collection

A Quest Mobile phlebotomist will collect your sample and deliver it to Quest Diagnostics.

4

Get fast results

Access results online as soon as they’re available. You will be emailed when they are ready. Discuss your results with an independent healthcare provider at no extra cost. Treatment options may be available.

Please note: Quest Mobile is currently only available for individuals ages 18+.

Recent research suggests that knowing your Lp(a) level is essential to understanding your risk for heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease. Learn more about Lp(a) here.

Understanding the balance between cholesterol's helpful and harmful effects is vital to staying healthy.

FAQs

Do I only need to have Lp(a) tested once in a lifetime?

Yes, Lp(a) levels are usually stable over a person’s lifetime and will usually only need to be tested once. In some cases, repeat testing may be ordered by your doctor if there is another medical reason for it to be high, or if a specific treatment was put in place to lower it.

How is this different from a regular cholesterol test?

A standard cholesterol test measures:

Total cholesterol
LDL cholesterol
HDL cholesterol
Triglycerides

It does not measure Lp(a). Lp(a) is an LDL-like particle that carries cholesterol and can indicate an increase of cardiovascular risk even when your regular cholesterol numbers are normal.

If you want a more complete heart risk picture, Quest offers multiple cholesterol and heart-health-related tests:

Cholesterol (Lipid) Panel, which measures total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, cholesterol/HDL ratio, and non-HDL cholesterol
High-Risk Heart Health Lipid and Lp(a) Test Panel, which is an extended lipid panel, measures total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, cholesterol/HDL ratio, non-HDL cholesterol as well as lipoprotein(a)
Advanced Heart Health Test Panel (with ApoB), which measures cholesterol, triglycerides, and hs-CRP levels as well as advanced biomarkers relevant to heart health

Can I use my FSA or HSA funds to purchase tests at questhealth.com?

You may be able to use your FSA or HSA funds to purchase lab tests at questhealth.com. Please review your FSA/HSA plan or check with a tax professional to confirm specific requirements for individual eligibility.

Tests purchased on questhealth.com are only for individuals who intend to pay directly for testing and do not want to submit a claim for reimbursement under their health insurance.

Lipoprotein(a)/Lp(a) Test