Lp(a): your inherited blood fat value, measured once

At a glance

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Who is it for?

Lp(a) is a value for almost every adult. The European specialist societies recommend measuring it at least once in life, because it is not part of the usual cholesterol profile and cannot be read from LDL or total cholesterol. As it goes unnoticed in everyday life, many people do not know their level.

Measuring it is particularly worthwhile if a parent or sibling had a heart attack or stroke at a younger age. A result is not a verdict on how you live: Lp(a) is inherited, not a consequence of diet or discipline. It helps you and your doctor put your other values in context.

Common reasons

Lp(a) causes no symptoms. These are good reasons to know your level:

• a heart attack or stroke in a parent or sibling at a younger age
• raised Lp(a) in a family member
• high cholesterol that runs in the family
• aortic valve changes in the family
• you have never had your Lp(a) measured
• you want to see your full cardiovascular profile, not just LDL

Acute illness, reduced kidney function and certain hormonal situations can affect a single measurement. If your level is close to a threshold, a later follow-up measurement may be useful, and you can discuss this in your doctor consultation. If you have acute symptoms, please see your doctor.

What the values show

Lipoprotein(a)

Lp(a) resembles an LDL particle and carries an additional protein, apolipoprotein(a). A higher level is regarded as an independent, inherited risk factor for the heart and blood vessels, separate from LDL cholesterol. In your doctor consultation it is read together with ApoB and LDL cholesterol from the Core panel: it does not change your other values, but it changes how they are interpreted. A single result is not a diagnosis and does not predict whether or when anything will happen.

All values

Cholesterol & blood fats

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All values at a glance

How to prepare

You receive the same advice by email before your appointment.

• Pause supplements. No supplements until the draw, for example biotin, iron, multivitamins or omega-3. Ideally stop biotin 2–3 days beforehand. Preparations prescribed by a doctor count as medication.
• No hard training 24–48 hours before. Intense sessions distort inflammation and muscle values (hs-CRP, CK, ferritin). A gentle walk is fine.
• No alcohol 24 hours before. It affects the liver values.
• Drink plenty of water. At least 1 litre of water the day before and in the morning. Good hydration makes the blood draw easier.
• Come fasting. Eat nothing for the last 12 hours beforehand (for glucose, insulin and blood lipids). Water is allowed and even encouraged.
• Coffee only after the draw. Even unsweetened. Only once your blood has been taken.
• Medication as usual. Take it as usual.
• Rested and relaxed. Stress and rushing shortly before can affect individual values.

How it works

1. Take out your NOA Core membership online and add the panels you want.
2. Book a morning appointment at an NOA Health Lab near you.
3. Come fasting: the blood draw takes about 15 minutes on site.
4. Your values are usually in your dashboard within 4 working days.
5. In the doctor consultation by video, you go through what matters for you.

Locations near you

Goes well with

• The base, always included

  NOA Core membership

  102 values

  Who it is for: Anyone who wants to know their health status

  €299 per year

• Optional

  Omega-3 Index

  20 values

  Who it is for: Checking your diet or omega-3 supplements

  one-off €79

• Optional

  Retest upgrade

  46 values

  Who it is for: Anyone who wants to measure what changes

  from €169 per year