Lipoprotein A:
Why Lipoprotein A Test?
CLINICAL INFORMATION
Lipoproteinmolecules are made up of fat and proteins. Lipoproteins are special bio-molecular spherical structural assembly with lipid particles (that transport lipid such as cholesterol, TG within lipoproteins) arranged by droplets of fats surrounded by a single layer of phospholipid molecules (fat molecules with phosphorous attached to it) that contain both polar and non-polar ends. Lipoproteins play a key role in the absorption and transport of lipids in the small intestines, transporting lipids from the liver to tissues and/or from tissues back to the liver. Different lipoproteins are differentiated based on specific proteins attached to the phospholipid outer layer known as apolipoproteins. Types of lipoproteins are HDL, LDL, IDL, VLDL and chylomicrons. Varying levels of lipoproteins from the normal reference range may indicate certain pathologies like cardiovascular diseases (eg. high LDL, VLDL and TG indicate risk of atherosclerosis – causing plaques in the arteries, whereas high Apo-A1 correlates with low atherosclerosis risk). Elevated levels of low-density lipoproteins are high risk for atherosclerosis since they can easily adhere to the arteries and moreover are more susceptible to oxidation (LDL are prone to free radical assault and hence cause damage to arteries – Atheroma). Thus atherosclerosis leads to inflammation of the arteries that later result in the hardening of arteries. Complications of atherosclerosis include heart diseases like heart attacks, stroke etc. Certain lifestyle choices and abnormal conditions like higher TG, LDL and low HDL can lead to certain pathologies which include obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance, hypothyroidism, smoking, high alcohol intake etc. Few medical conditions that can elevate lipoprotein levels include nephrotic syndrome, renal failure, hypercholesterolemia, uncontrolled Diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism etc. Lipoprotein or lipoprotein(a) test measures the level of lipoprotein levels (like HDL LDL, VLDL etc) to screen for symptoms of heart diseases, dyslipidemias, familial hereditary hypercholesterolemia etc and also in prognosis (to monitor the lipid-lowering efficacy of hypolipidemic drugs in obese and patients with heart diseases). Therefore lipoprotein or lipoprotein(a) test is a powerful predictor of premature coronary artery disease and helps to screen for the presence of high-risk cases of heart diseases. Additional tests include cholesterol test, Triglyceride - TG test, complete lipid profile etc. Other tests include thyroid test, estrogen test in women for estrogen depletion, ECG etc.
General Instructions:
Sample Requirement: Specimen -Blood sample collected from the vein. Test Preparation: Fasting Required.
NOTE - Sample for specimen collections may vary based on the patient’s condition/cases according to the patient’s presenting complaints/signs or symptoms:
SPECIMEN REQUIREMENT (Special or Rare Cases) - As instructed and guided by Physician / Clinician / Pathologist / as per Laboratory’s requirements, according to procedures and protocols.
This Multi-Specialty Clinical Referral Laboratory RT DIAGNOSTICS provides precise and accurate tests with an extensive range of testing services to the medical centres to help in the diagnosis and identification of pathology in the test specimens for infectious diseases and also to evaluate the function of organ systems of the patient. It prevents further complications and helps to stabilize and restore health to near normalcy at the earliest without delay.
