Do I need advanced lipid testing?

It depends on your personal and family history. Discuss with your clinician whether ApoB or Lp(a) would change your management.

Lab test · Cardiovascular

Advanced lipid testing (ApoB & Lp(a))

Beyond the standard lipid panel: what ApoB and Lp(a) add, when European guidelines suggest measuring them and how to prepare.

Written by LON6EVITY Editorial Team · Last updated 2026-09-29

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What the test includes

Advanced lipid testing usually adds apolipoprotein B (ApoB) and lipoprotein(a) to a standard lipid panel. Some labs also offer particle-number or particle-size tests, which are less standardised.

Why it's used

The 2019 ESC/EAS guidelines recommend measuring Lp(a) at least once in adulthood and suggest ApoB for risk assessment, particularly in people with high triglycerides, diabetes, obesity or very low LDL cholesterol.

How to prepare

Usually no fasting is required for ApoB and Lp(a); follow your lab's instructions if a standard lipid panel is taken at the same time.

Questions people commonly ask

Do I need advanced lipid testing?: It depends on your personal and family history. Discuss with your clinician whether ApoB or Lp(a) would change your management.

Related biomarkers

Related tests

Lab testLipid panel (cholesterol test)

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Sources

2019 ESC/EAS Guidelines for the management of dyslipidaemias: lipid modification to reduce cardiovascular risk. European Society of Cardiology / European Atherosclerosis Society (Mach F et al.), Eur Heart J, 2020.