Short answer
Lp(a), lipoprotein(a), is a cholesterol-carrying particle whose level is set mostly by your genes and barely moves with diet. The 2026 US cholesterol guideline says every adult should have it measured at least once. It costs about $37 at Labcorp OnDemand or $40.50 plus a $6 fee at Quest. There is no approved drug that targets it yet.
Why one test is enough
Your Lp(a) level is inherited and stays roughly constant through life, so a single measurement tells you where you stand. The 2026 ACC/AHA cholesterol guideline recommends measuring it at least once in every adult, because a high level raises the risk of heart attack, stroke and aortic valve disease independently of LDL.
What a high result changes
A high Lp(a) doesn’t have its own treatment yet. In September 2026, Novartis reported that its Lp(a)-lowering drug missed the main goal of its outcomes trial, so the targeted drugs are still unproven. What a high result does is raise the bar on everything else: doctors tend to treat LDL and blood pressure more aggressively, and family members may want to test too. Talk that through with your clinician rather than acting on it alone.
Where to get it in the US
Ask your doctor first. It is often covered when ordered as part of a workup. If you want to order it yourself, Labcorp OnDemand lists Lp(a) at $36.75 and Quest at $40.50 plus a $6 physician fee. Membership panels from Function and Superpower include it too, but you don’t need a $349 membership for one number. Note that InsideTracker’s Ultimate panel and Everlywell’s heart kit don’t include Lp(a) at all.
Related questions
Does diet lower Lp(a)?
Not meaningfully. The level is largely genetic, which is why one lifetime test is the guideline’s advice.
Is Lp(a) the same as LDL?
No. LDL is the cholesterol carried by most particles. Lp(a) is a specific particle type with an extra protein attached, and it is measured separately.
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Sources
Published 2026-09-30 · Last checked 2026-09-30
Educational content, not medical advice. Made for the United States.