Normal range: 0 – 75 nmol/L (lower is better)
Lp(a) is a genetically determined lipoprotein that carries both cholesterol and a clot-promoting protein called apolipoprotein(a). Elevated Lp(a) independently raises the risk of heart attack, stroke, and aortic valve disease. Unlike most lipid markers, Lp(a) levels are largely set by your DNA and do not respond much to diet or exercise. About 20% of the population has elevated Lp(a), and most have never been tested. You only need to test it once in your lifetime since levels are stable.
A normal Lp(a) is 0 – 75 nmol/L. Lower is better.
Lp(a) is almost entirely determined by genetics. If your parents have high Lp(a), you likely will too. Diet and exercise have minimal effect on levels. Kidney disease can raise Lp(a), and hypothyroidism may modestly increase it. Estrogen lowers Lp(a), which is why levels may rise after menopause.
Because Lp(a) is not very responsive to lifestyle changes, people with elevated levels should more aggressively control other modifiable risk factors like LDL, ApoB, blood pressure, and inflammation. Statins do not lower Lp(a) (and may slightly raise it), but PCSK9 inhibitors reduce it by about 20-30%. New targeted therapies specifically for Lp(a) are in late-stage clinical trials and may become available in the coming years. Niacin also lowers Lp(a) but is rarely used today due to side effects.
Lp(a) is most highly correlated with Apolipoprotein B and ALT. Here are the top biomarkers correlated with Lp(a), based on 500,000 tests done by Empirical Health.
The percentage shows how strongly two biomarkers move together. A higher number means the relationship is stronger. Green = rises and falls together. Orange = one rises as the other falls.
You can test your Lp(a) for $190 as part of Empirical's comprehensive health panel, which includes 100 biomarkers.
You can measure your Lp(a) for at 2,200+ testing locations across the US. Click below and enter your zip code to browse locations near you.
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