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HelpTest Code LPA Lipoprotein (a)
Laboratory Code
LAB563
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Type: Serum
Container/Tube: Red Top (Plain)
Volume: 6.0 mL
Minimum Volume: 0.5 mL serum
Collection Instructions: Allow specimen to clot for 30 mins and centrifuge within 2 hrs.
Specimen Stability
| Specimen Type | Serum |
|---|---|
| Ambient | Not available |
| Refrigerate | 8 days |
| Frozen | Not available |
Methodology
Immunoturbidimetry
Days and Times Performed
24hrs, TAT 1 day
Specimen Condition
| Haemolysis | OK |
|---|---|
| Icterus | OK |
| Lipaemia | OK |
| Others | Not applicable |
Reference Interval
>30 mg/dL may suggest increased risk of coronary heart disease.
Testing Laboratory
National University Hospital
Clinical Chemistry, 67724346
Useful For
Assessing cardiovascular risk. Lipoprotein(a) is one of the risk enhancers for cardiovascular risk prediction, for those in borderline to intermediate risk groups (reference 1).
Consider testing in patients with family history of high cholesterol, or premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (<55 years for men, and <65 years for women, reference 2).
Other risk enhancers are:
• Family history of premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
• Chronic inflammatory or autoimmune disorders (rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, HIV)
• Persistently elevated triglycerides
• Metabolic syndrome
• Premature menopause (before 40 years old)
• Severe mental illness
• Abnormal ankle-brachial index (<0.9) without symptoms of PAD
Reference:
1. Agency for clinical effectiveness (ACE) guidelines for Lipid Management 2023.
2. 2019 ACC/AHA guidelines on the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. J Am Coll Cardiol 2019;74:e177-e232.
Service Code
31172
LOINC Code Information
10835-7
Update
Last updated 10/07/2025