Lipoprotein (a)

Lp(a), LIPOA

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB1232338, Beaker: Lipopro(a), Quest: 34604

Department

Send Outs

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: One Gold-top SST tube. (Minimum Whole Blood: 2.0 mL)

Also acceptable: One Red-top or One Lavender-top (EDTA).

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Let specimen clot 30-60 minutes then centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Transfer serum to plastic transport tube and maintain at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F) prior to transport.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: 1.0 mL serum, room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F). (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Gross hemolysis.
• Grossly lipemic.
• Grossly icteric.
• Specimens that have gross bacterial contamination.

In-Lab Processing

Let specimen clot 30-60 minutes then centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Transfer serum to plastic transport tube and maintain at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F) prior to transport.

 Transport: 1.0 mL serum, room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F). (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 7 days
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 14 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 90 days

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Specimen retention time is determined by the policy of the reference laboratory. Contact the Send Outs Laboratory with any questions.

Laboratory

Sent to Quest Diagnostics, Wood Dale, IL.

Performed

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday (pm).
Results available in 4 days.

Reference Range

<75 nmol/L

Test Methodology

Immunoturbidimetry

Interpretation

Risk	nmol/L
Optimal	<75
Moderate	75-125
High	>125

Cardiovascular event risk category cut points (optimal, moderate, high) are based on Tsimikas S. JACC 2017;69:692-711.

Clinical Utility

Lipoprotein (a):
Elevated concentrations of Lp(a) are associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease.

CPT Codes

83695

Contacts

Last Updated

6/3/2026