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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
LIPA1
General Information

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk refinement in patients with moderate or high risk based on conventional risk factors or patients with clinical suspicion of residual CV risk not identified by other lipid parameters.
Specimen Type

Serum
Specimen Requirements

  • Preferred: Serum Gel (SST)

  • Acceptable: Red Top
Specimen Collection / Processing Instructions

Centrifuge and aliquot serum into plastic vial.
Minimum Sample Volume

0.5 mL
Stability

  • Refrigerated (preferred): 7 days

  • Frozen: 30 days

  • Ambient: 24 hours
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

Immunoturbidimetric Assay
Estimated TAT

2-4 Days
Testing Schedule

Monday-Saturday
Retention

7 days
CPT Code(s)

83695
Reference Range

"> or =18 years: <75 nmol/L
Reference values have not been established for patients who are less than 18 years of age.
Performing Lab

Mayo
LOINC Code(s)

43583-4