Current promotion
ApoB & Lp(a) Blood Tests: Order Advanced Lipid Markers Online
Two of the most-requested advanced lipid markers, available as individual Quest Cardio IQ tests you can order online.
Affiliate disclosure: we earn a commission when you purchase lab tests through links on this site, at no extra cost to you. Learn more
ApoB from $35.95 (about $28.04 promotional) and Lp(a) from $38.95 (about $30.38 promotional) at time of writing, confirm current pricing on the partner page.
At a glance
ApoB and Lp(a) blood tests measure the lipoprotein particles most closely associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk, information a standard cholesterol panel does not report. Quest's Cardio IQ line offers both as individual tests: the Apolipoprotein B test measures the main protein in LDL and other atherogenic lipoproteins, and the Lipoprotein (a) test measures a largely inherited LDL-like particle. Both can be ordered online and drawn at a local Quest lab, with results to review with your doctor.
Best suited for
- People who have read about ApoB and want it measured without waiting for their next physical
- Adults with a family history of early heart disease who have never had Lipoprotein (a) tested
- Anyone whose standard LDL-C looks normal but who wants particle-level markers to discuss with their doctor
- Self-directed testers who prefer ordering a single marker over a full panel, or upgrading to a bundled advanced lipid panel
What's included
Cardio IQ Apolipoprotein B Test
Cardio IQ Apolipoprotein A1 Test
Cardio IQ Apolipoprotein Evaluation Test
Cardio IQ Lipoprotein (a) Test
Cardio IQ Lipoprotein Fractionation Test, Ion Mobility
Cardio IQ Direct LDL Test
Cardio IQ hs-CRP Test
Cardio IQ Advanced Lipid Panel Plus
Cardio IQ Max Lipid Panel
Deep-dive the key markers: ApoB, Lp(a), LDL-C, HDL-C, hs-CRP
Key biomarker ranges
Commonly used adult reference ranges for markers this panel measures, labs vary, so always interpret results against your lab's stated ranges and with your doctor.
Commonly used reference ranges favor ApoB below ~90 mg/dL; people with higher baseline cardiovascular risk are often advised toward lower targets.
| Zone | Range |
|---|---|
| Optimal | 0–90 mg/dL |
| Borderline high | 90–110 mg/dL |
| High | 110–160 mg/dL |
Commonly used cutoffs flag Lp(a) above 125 nmol/L as high; levels are mostly genetic and stable, so a single lifetime measurement is often sufficient.
| Zone | Range |
|---|---|
| Optimal | 0–75 nmol/L |
| Borderline high | 75–125 nmol/L |
| High | 125–200 nmol/L |
Commonly used reference ranges label LDL-C under 100 mg/dL optimal; ideal targets depend on your overall cardiovascular risk profile.
| Zone | Range |
|---|---|
| Optimal | 0–100 mg/dL |
| Near optimal | 100–130 mg/dL |
| Borderline high | 130–160 mg/dL |
| High | 160–190 mg/dL |
| Very high | 190–220 mg/dL |
The importance of testing
Standard cholesterol testing reports LDL-C, the amount of cholesterol carried in LDL particles, but it does not count the particles themselves. The Cardio IQ Apolipoprotein B test measures ApoB, the main protein on LDL and other atherogenic lipoproteins, providing a particle-based marker that many clinicians consider a more precise reflection of lipid-related cardiovascular risk than LDL-C alone. Pairing it with ApoA1, via the Apolipoprotein Evaluation test, shows the balance between atherogenic and protective particles.
Lipoprotein (a) is different: its level is largely inherited and not significantly affected by lifestyle, so a single measurement tells you something diet and exercise will not change. Elevated Lp(a) is a marker associated with increased cardiovascular risk, and because it is not part of routine panels, many people have never had it measured.
If you want the particle detail without building a cart test by test, the Cardio IQ Advanced Lipid Panel Plus and Max Lipid Panel bundle apolipoproteins with lipoprotein fractionation by ion mobility, which profiles LDL and HDL subclasses by size and concentration. Direct LDL and hs-CRP round out the picture.
These are measurements, not verdicts: bring your ApoB and Lp(a) results to your doctor to discuss what they mean in the context of your family history, blood pressure, and overall cardiometabolic profile.
Promo code
CARDIOIQ22Save 20% with code CARDIOIQ22, current promotion; confirm final pricing on the partner page.
Ready to get your numbers? Order online, visit a nearby draw site, and receive private results to review with your doctor.
Order NowFrequently asked questions
Can I order an ApoB or Lp(a) test without a doctor's order?
Yes, both tests are available to order directly online through the partner site without scheduling a doctor's appointment first. You purchase the test, have blood drawn at a local Quest lab, and receive results to review yourself and with your healthcare provider.
What does an ApoB test tell you that LDL cholesterol does not?
ApoB reflects the number of atherogenic lipoprotein particles, while LDL-C measures only the cholesterol those particles carry. Because each atherogenic particle carries one ApoB protein, the test provides a particle-based marker associated with cardiovascular risk that can differ from LDL-C, a distinction worth reviewing with your doctor.
How often should Lp(a) be tested?
Because Lipoprotein (a) levels are largely inherited and not significantly affected by lifestyle, a single baseline measurement is informative for most people. Your doctor can advise whether repeat testing makes sense in your situation, for many, once is enough to know where you stand.
Should I order individual tests or an advanced lipid panel?
Order individual tests if you only want specific markers like ApoB or Lp(a); choose a bundled panel like the Cardio IQ Advanced Lipid Panel Plus or Max Lipid Panel if you also want lipoprotein particle fractionation, direct LDL, and inflammation markers in one draw. Panels cover more markers per draw, while single tests keep the cost of answering one question low.
Is this testing available in every state?
No, direct-to-consumer lab testing is restricted or prohibited in New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, so residents of those states may be blocked at the partner's checkout. Elsewhere, availability depends on having a Quest patient service center nearby.
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