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Lipoprotein (a), Serum

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Updated Test Information:

Test Description
Lipoprotein (a), Serum
Synonym(s)

Lipoprotein (a), S; Lipoprotein a; Lp(a) apoprotein; LP "little-A"
Test ID
LIPA
General Information

Useful for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk refinement in patients with moderate or high risk based on conventional risk factors
Specimen Type

Fasting Serum
Specimen Requirements

  • Preferred: Serum Gel (SST)

  • Acceptable: Red Top
Specimen Collection / Processing Instructions

  • Patient Preparation: Fasting-overnight (12-14 hours)

  • Centrifuge and aliquot serum into plastic vial. Send refrigerated
Minimum Sample Volume

0.5 mL
Stability

  • Refrigerated (preferred): 7 days

  • Frozen: 7 days
Unacceptable Specimen Conditions

  • Gross hemolysis

  • Gross lipemia

  • Gross icterus
Limitations

  • This test is not recommended as a screening test in the healthy population

  • Epidemiologic studies have shown Lp(a) concentrations are lowest in non-Hispanic Caucasians, Chinese, and Japanese. Hispanics have slightly higher median Lp(a) concentrations and in African Americans, the median Lp(a) serum concentration is approximately 2 times higher than in Caucasians. In most cases, the preferred test for quantifying Lp(a) is LPAWS / Lipoprotein (a) Cholesterol, Serum

  • In very rare cases, gammopathy, in particular type IgM (Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia), may cause unreliable results.
Methodology

Automated Turbidimetric Immunoassay
Estimated TAT

1 day
Testing Schedule

Monday-Saturday
Retention

7 days
CPT Code(s)

83695
Reference Range

  • ≤ 30 mg/dL

  • >30 mg/dL may suggest increased risk of coronary heart disease
Performing Lab

Mayo
LOINC Code(s)

10835-7
Additional Information