Lipoprotein (a)

Message

For Specimen Integrity during Extreme Weather see the “Lockbox Usage in Extreme Weather” document at the top of this page.

Test Code

LIPOA

CPT Codes
83695

Preferred Specimen

1 mL serum

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Plasma collected in: EDTA (royal blue-top), lithium heparin (green-top), EDTA (lavender-top) or sodium heparin (green-top) tubes

Instructions

Avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles.

Transport Temperature

Room temperature

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 7 days
Refrigerated: 14 days
Frozen: 90 days

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Gross hemolysis • Grossly lipemic • Grossly icteric

Methodology
Immunoturbidimetric

Setup Schedule

Daily, Report available: Next day

Reference Range

<75 nmol/L

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 Significance

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

Performing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute
14225 Newbrook Drive
Chantilly, VA 20153

Last Updated: September 19, 2023

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.