Lipoprotein (a)
Private Lipoprotein (a) blood test in London for £78, measuring one largely inherited cardiovascular risk marker with results in around 2 days.
Turnaround time
2 business days
Biomarkers count
1
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Overview of the Lipoprotein (a)
The Lipoprotein (a) blood test measures Lipoprotein (a), commonly abbreviated to Lp(a), an inherited lipoprotein associated with increased cardiovascular and aortic-valve risk when concentrations are elevated.
The test contains 1 biomarker: Lipoprotein (a).
Lp(a) is structurally similar to an LDL particle but contains an additional protein called Apolipoprotein(a).
The concentration is determined predominantly by genetics and is generally much less responsive to diet and exercise than LDL Cholesterol or Triglycerides.
This makes Lp(a) different from many conventional cardiovascular biomarkers.
A person can have healthy lifestyle habits and an apparently satisfactory standard cholesterol profile but still have substantially elevated Lp(a).
Elevated Lp(a) is associated with an increased lifetime risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and calcific aortic-valve stenosis.
It is therefore particularly relevant where cardiovascular disease occurs unusually early in a family or where risk appears greater than a routine lipid profile would suggest.
Because levels are mainly inherited and relatively stable, Lp(a) often only needs to be measured once during adulthood unless there is a specific clinical reason to repeat it.
The test does not diagnose coronary artery disease, stroke or aortic stenosis.
It provides an additional risk marker that should be interpreted with LDL Cholesterol, ApoB, blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, kidney function, family history and other cardiovascular factors.
What Does the Lipoprotein (a) Check ?
This test measures one largely genetically determined lipoprotein that provides cardiovascular-risk information not normally captured by a standard cholesterol profile. This test measures 1 biomarker.
Lipoprotein (a)
Measures circulating Lp(a), a largely inherited lipoprotein associated with increased atherosclerotic cardiovascular and calcific aortic-valve risk when elevated.
Who May Benefit From the Lipoprotein (a) Test ?
Lp(a) testing can be particularly useful when family history or personal cardiovascular history suggests inherited risk beyond ordinary LDL Cholesterol.
People with a family history of premature heart disease - Elevated Lp(a) can contribute to inherited cardiovascular risk.
People with a family history of stroke at a relatively young age - Lp(a) can add information to a standard cardiovascular assessment.
People with Familial Hypercholesterolaemia - Both high LDL Cholesterol and high Lp(a) can contribute to lifetime risk.
People with cardiovascular disease despite apparently satisfactory routine cholesterol - Lp(a) can identify an additional inherited risk factor.
People with recurrent cardiovascular events despite treatment - Specialist risk assessment may include Lp(a).
People with calcific aortic-valve stenosis - High Lp(a) is associated with increased risk of this condition.
People undergoing advanced preventive cardiovascular screening - A one-time Lp(a) measurement can provide lifelong inherited-risk information.
People whose close relative has known high Lp(a) - Family members may also have genetically elevated concentrations.
Symptoms and Reasons to Consider the Lipoprotein (a) Test
Elevated Lp(a) itself usually causes no symptoms, which is why family history and preventive testing are more relevant than symptom-based testing.
No symptoms but a strong family history of early heart disease - This is one of the most important reasons to consider Lp(a).
A parent or sibling with markedly elevated Lp(a) - Concentrations are strongly genetically determined.
Previous heart attack at a younger age than expected - Additional inherited risk factors may be relevant.
Previous stroke without fully explained conventional risk factors - Lp(a) may contribute to the overall cardiovascular picture.
Known Familial Hypercholesterolaemia - Measuring Lp(a) can help refine inherited cardiovascular risk.
Cardiovascular disease despite controlled LDL Cholesterol - Residual inherited risk may include Lp(a).
Known aortic-valve stenosis - Lp(a) is associated with calcific aortic-valve disease.
Lp(a) testing is a risk assessment rather than an emergency test.
Chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, facial weakness, speech difficulty or other symptoms of a possible heart attack or stroke require emergency medical assessment.
How to Book Your Lipoprotein (a) Test in London
Private Lp(a) measurement can be booked as an individual cardiovascular-risk test or alongside a broader lipid assessment.
Choose the Lipoprotein (a)
Select the individual Lipoprotein (a) blood test.
Select your sample collection option
Choose an in-clinic blood draw or professional home or hotel phlebotomy.
Attend your appointment
A trained healthcare professional collects the required venous blood sample.
Laboratory analysis
Your serum is analysed for Lipoprotein (a).
Receive your results securely
Your authorised result is delivered securely and can be reviewed alongside LDL Cholesterol, ApoB and your wider cardiovascular-risk profile.
When Will I Receive My Results?
The current London Blood Tests turnaround for Lipoprotein (a) is approximately 2 days after the sample reaches the laboratory.
Lp(a) is a specialist cardiovascular measurement but can generally be processed relatively quickly.
The laboratory performs analysis, quality-control checks and result authorisation before release.
Turnaround begins from laboratory receipt rather than necessarily from the time of blood collection.
Occasional analytical review can extend reporting beyond the usual two-day period.
Understanding Your Results
The interpretation of Lp(a) depends partly on the unit used by the laboratory.
Results may be reported in nmol/L or mg/dL.
These units should not be converted using a simple universal conversion factor because Lp(a) particle size varies between individuals.
Higher concentrations are associated with greater inherited cardiovascular risk.
An elevated Lp(a) result does not mean that cardiovascular disease is definitely present.
Instead, it identifies a risk enhancer that can influence how aggressively other modifiable factors, particularly LDL Cholesterol and blood pressure, are managed.
Lifestyle usually has only a modest direct effect on Lp(a), but maintaining healthy cardiovascular habits remains important because overall risk is determined by the combination of inherited and modifiable factors.
Why Book With London Blood Tests?
This test provides information about inherited cardiovascular risk that is not routinely included in a basic cholesterol profile.
Measures an inherited risk marker - Lp(a) is predominantly genetically determined.
Adds information beyond LDL Cholesterol - High Lp(a) can occur despite otherwise satisfactory routine lipids.
Relevant to premature family heart disease - Particularly useful when cardiovascular events occur unexpectedly young.
Useful in Familial Hypercholesterolaemia - Can further refine inherited risk.
Usually a one-time measurement - Concentrations are generally stable through adulthood.
Fast specialist results - Expected in approximately 2 days.
Professional blood collection - Clinic and home phlebotomy options are available.
Clear pricing - Lipoprotein (a) costs £78.
Private Lipoprotein (a) Blood Test in London
London Blood Tests provides private Lipoprotein (a) testing for people seeking assessment of an important inherited cardiovascular-risk marker.
The test costs £78 and measures 1 biomarker.
Results are expected approximately 2 days after laboratory receipt.
Lp(a) should be interpreted alongside LDL Cholesterol, ApoB, blood pressure, diabetes, smoking and family history rather than as a standalone prediction of cardiovascular disease.