Lipoprotein (a) Test
The Lipoprotein (a) test, also called Lp(a), measures the concentration of lipoprotein(a) in a blood sample. Elevated levels are associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease, and clinicians read the result alongside a person's broader cardiovascular risk picture.
About this test
Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is a substance that Quest describes as associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease when elevated. The test measures its concentration in a serum sample using an immunoturbidimetric method, producing a single value.
Because Lp(a) is one marker among the many that shape cardiovascular risk, clinicians generally weigh it together with cholesterol results, family history and other risk factors rather than reading it in isolation.
Test details
| Quest code | 34604 |
|---|---|
| Methodology | Immunoturbidimetric |
| Sample type | 1 mL serum |
| Collection | Quest patient service center |
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Quest resources
Additional details
What this test looks at
The test reports one value: the concentration of lipoprotein(a) in the blood. Quest also lists it under the alias Lp(a), and the two terms refer to the same measurement.
Order online and a physician order is included — no doctor's visit and no insurance needed. Your sample is collected at a Quest Diagnostics patient service center.
Laboratory results should always be interpreted by a licensed clinician who knows your health history. This page is information about a test, not medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Lipoprotein (a) test measure?
It measures the concentration of lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), in a serum sample using an immunoturbidimetric method.
How is the Lipoprotein (a) sample collected?
The test uses a serum sample from a routine blood draw.
Do I need to prepare for a Lipoprotein (a) test?
No preparation instructions are listed for this test, though people follow any instructions their ordering clinician provides.
Is Lp(a) the same as LDL cholesterol?
No. Lp(a) is a separate substance that Quest describes as associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease when elevated; it is measured on its own, not as part of a standard cholesterol panel.
How much does the Lipoprotein * test cost?
The cash price at Celio Health is $49. That covers the physician's order and sample collection at a Quest patient service center — no insurance is needed and there's no separate doctor's visit to pay for.