Lipoprotein a (Lp-a)
An inherited cholesterol particle that raises heart-attack risk independently of LDL. Worth measuring once; it does not change much with lifestyle
Also known as Lp(a), Lipoprotein a, Genetic cholesterol, Lipoprotein (a)
₹605/-₹850/-29% offFree collection on orders above ₹500/-
- Reports within
- 8 hours
- Parameter included
- 01see list
- Sample
- Blood
- Fasting
- Not needed
- Measures
- Lipoprotein (a) in the blood
- Identifies
- Inherited heart-attack and stroke risk
Collected at home
A trained phlebotomist visits at a time you pick, from the next hour
Sealed single-use kit
Opened in front of you, and carried to the lab under controlled conditions
Report within 8 hours
On WhatsApp and email, with any value outside the normal range highlighted
What is the Lp(a) test?
Lipoprotein (a), or Lp(a), is an LDL-like particle with an extra protein attached that makes it stickier and more clot-prone than ordinary LDL. Your level is set almost entirely by the genes you inherit, and it is not part of a standard lipid profile.
About one in five people carry a high Lp(a), and South Asians are among the more affected groups. A raised level adds to heart-attack, stroke and aortic-valve risk even when LDL is normal, and it explains many heart attacks in slim, non-smoking people with a family history. Diet, exercise and statins barely move it, so the test is done once. A high result tells your doctor to treat every other risk factor harder and to test your close relatives.
No fasting is needed. The sample is collected at home and the report arrives on WhatsApp and email in 8 hours.
Lp(a) parameters1 measured
Lipoprotein (a)
up to 30 mg/dL
A form of LDL set largely by your genes rather than diet, raised levels adding to heart and stroke risk and changing little with lifestyle
Reference ranges are the lab's defaults for adults and are printed on the report beside every value
How to prepare
- No fasting is needed.
- If you are fasting for a lipid profile anyway, the same sample can be used.
- Take your usual medicines unless your doctor says otherwise.
Who should take it
Anyone with a parent, sibling or child who had a heart attack, stroke or bypass before 55 (men) or 60 (women). People whose own heart attack or stent came despite normal cholesterol. Anyone with a family member known to have high Lp(a). People with familial hypercholesterolaemia, or LDL that stays high on a statin. Adults with aortic valve stenosis. Many guidelines now suggest every adult measure it once; if yours is normal, it need not be repeated.
Before the visit
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, have kidney disease or an underactive thyroid, or take niacin or hormone therapy, as these can shift Lp(a). Different labs report in different units, so compare results only within the same lab.
Why take the Lp(a) test?
- Once in a lifetime: The level is inherited and stable, so a single test tells you for good.
- Unexplained heart attacks: A relative who had a heart attack early with normal cholesterol is the classic reason.
- Beyond LDL: Adds risk that a lipid profile cannot see.
- Guides how hard to treat: A high value lowers the LDL target your doctor will aim for.
- Family screening: A raised result means parents, siblings and children should be tested too.
Questions about the Lp(a) test
What is the lipoprotein (a) test used for?
It measures an inherited cholesterol particle that raises heart-attack and stroke risk on its own, even when LDL is normal. It is used to explain early heart disease in families and to decide how hard to treat other risk factors.
Do I need to fast for a lipoprotein (a) test?
No fasting is needed. Lp(a) does not change with meals. If you are fasting anyway for a lipid profile, both can be run from the same sample.
What sample is taken and how does home collection work?
A small blood sample from a vein in the arm. A trained phlebotomist comes to your home with a sealed single-use kit, draws the sample in a few minutes, and carries it to the lab.
What is the normal range for lipoprotein (a)?
The report gives one value in mg/dL, and below 30 mg/dL is considered normal. Some labs report in nmol/L instead, and the two units are not directly convertible, so compare results only within the same lab.
What does a high lipoprotein (a) mean?
A value above 30 mg/dL means you inherited a stickier form of LDL and your heart-attack, stroke and aortic-valve risk is higher than your cholesterol alone suggests. Your doctor will usually aim for a lower LDL, may start a statin earlier, and will suggest testing your parents, siblings and children.
Who should get a lipoprotein (a) test and how often?
Anyone with a close relative who had a heart attack or stroke early, anyone whose own heart attack came despite normal cholesterol, people with very high LDL, and adults with aortic valve stenosis. Many guidelines now suggest every adult measure it once. The level barely changes, so one test is enough.
How long does the lipoprotein (a) report take?
The report reaches you on WhatsApp and email in 8 hours from the time the phlebotomist collects the sample at your home. Book a morning slot and you will usually have it the same day.
Can I lower my Lp(a) with diet or exercise?
Not by much. Lp(a) is set by your genes, and diet, exercise and most statins move it very little. What you can do is lower every other risk: LDL, blood pressure, sugar, weight and smoking. Newer drugs that target Lp(a) directly are in trials but not yet in routine use.
Commonly tested together
Often on the same prescription
What happens after you book
- A phlebotomist is assigned and reaches you in your chosen slot, as soon as the next hour
- The sample is collected with a sealed single-use kit and moved on a cold chain
- The report lands on WhatsApp and email within 8 hours