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GD Normal lipid panel but high Lipoprotein (a) results

Melgar

Melgar

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I have just received my blood results back. Apart from being borderline anaemic, no surprise there, my Lipoprotein (a) is high - 192 nmol/Ls lab range <100 . That's very high in my view. The Dr wants to see me.

I also had an Apolipoproteins B-100 ( ApoB ) test, those are well within range at
0.87 g/L . The lab range is 0.59 - 1.25 g/L

Just to give this some context my lipid panel results are as follows . All figures are in mmol/Ls.

Cholesterol 4.39
Cholesterol in LDL 2.23
Cholesterol in HDL 1.87
Cholesterol Non HDL 2.52
Cholesterol / Cholesterol Non HDL 2.52
Triglycerides 0.63

Elevated Lp(a) levels are a cardiovascular disease risk factor. It now also includes heart attack , stroke , and a range of conditions like irregular heart rhythms , heart valve disease , and limited lower-body circulation.

I am fat intolerant , I can eat some, but diet is not a factor with high Lp(a) levels, it's genetic . So I just wanted to post my results. Apparently 70-75% of the population would have normal Lp(a) levels if screened today. I obviously am one of the 25 - 30 % who don't.

In Europe and Canada screening for Lp(a) levels is recommended.

I have attached a paper on the subject.

https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/news/2024/lipoproteina-what-know-about-elevated-levels
 
Melgar said:
Elevated Lp(a) levels are a cardiovascular disease risk factor. It now also includes heart attack , stroke , and a range of conditions like irregular heart rhythms , heart valve disease , and limited lower-body circulation.
Click to expand...
Thanks for leading me to this thread @Melgar , this bit has caught my eye as in addition to diagnoses of Raynauds and peripheral neuropathy recently I have had three episodes of what has been called inappropriate sinus tachycardia and ectopic beats, necessitating two visits in A/E, the third episode was just this last Sunday which settled on it’s own in 30 mins. When my current blood tests are done, if nothing shows up I will ask about testing my Lipoprotein (a) levels.
 
@Rachox I'd never heard of this Lipoprotein (a) test, yes I'd heard of the ApoB levels test but not the Lpa test . I think it's well worth asking your Dr to get tested and it's recommended that everyone should get tested fir Lpa at least once .
 
Rachox said:
Thanks for leading me to this thread @Melgar , this bit has caught my eye as in addition to diagnoses of Raynauds and peripheral neuropathy recently I have had three episodes of what has been called inappropriate sinus tachycardia and ectopic beats, necessitating two visits in A/E, the third episode was just this last Sunday which settled on it’s own in 30 mins. When my current blood tests are done, if nothing shows up I will ask about testing
Click to expand...
I did this via Thriva advanced lipid testing in January and thankfully had normal a - despite my high LDL and as you'd expect high B. Hope you can get NHS test if you are keen to know yours but if not it's available at a cost privately. Thriva charge just over a hundred.
 
shelley262 said:
I did this via Thriva advanced lipid testing in January and thankfully had normal a - despite my high LDL and as you'd expect high B. Hope you can get NHS test if you are keen to know yours but if not it's available at a cost privately. Thriva charge just over a hundred.
Click to expand...
Thanks for this @shelley262 , I had looked at Thriva, but boy that’s an expensive one!
 
Thanks @Bcgirl . That was a very enlightening Youtube clip. I drew the short straw too with my Lp(a) at 192 nmol/Ls nearly double the upper limit. I went to my Dr with Restless legs (RLS) , which I have never had before, this was keeping me awake at night. Plus I complained of being a bit foggy.

I'm very thankful my Dr is switched on and requested this Lp(a) test.
I do have systemic inflammation CRP 1.3, which is a typical figure for low level systemic inflammation , probably due to my multi joint arthritis.

I too have read that statins can increase Lp(a) levels, however I have also read that high statin therapy (Rosuvastatin) can decrease Lp(a) by as much as 40%. This where my Dr is going right now. I'm on 20 mg of Rosuvastatin then I will have another Lp(a) test to see if it is working for me. Bear in mind my Apob results are normal as are my Cholesterol figures, and very low Triglycerides - 0.50 mmol/Ls . I asked my Dr why , if my Triglycerides are so low , why do I have dangerously high Lipoprotein (a). He said this has nothing to do with circulating fats.
Having normal cholesterol figures is the scary bit.

He has also told me to take a B12 supplement 1000 mcg to improve nutrient uptake.

I'm posting so others are aware that just having your regular lipid panel of LDLs , HDL's and Triglycerides may not give you the whole picture as to your cardio / vascular risk .
 
Wow, that’s quite the pile of information! Sounds like you have a great doctor, wish you well. Hoping you’ll post back on this thread with any updates
 
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