MetabolicMarkers

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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

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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.

Apolipoprotein B (mg/dL)

Commonly used reference ranges favor ApoB below ~90 mg/dL; people with higher baseline cardiovascular risk are often advised toward lower targets.

Apolipoprotein B reference ranges (mg/dL)
ZoneRange
Optimal0–90 mg/dL
Borderline high90–110 mg/dL
High110–160 mg/dL
Lipoprotein(a) (nmol/L)

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.

Lipoprotein(a) reference ranges (nmol/L)
ZoneRange
Optimal0–75 nmol/L
Borderline high75–125 nmol/L
High125–200 nmol/L
LDL Cholesterol (mg/dL)

Commonly used reference ranges label LDL-C under 100 mg/dL optimal; ideal targets depend on your overall cardiovascular risk profile.

LDL Cholesterol reference ranges (mg/dL)
ZoneRange
Optimal0–100 mg/dL
Near optimal100–130 mg/dL
Borderline high130–160 mg/dL
High160–190 mg/dL
Very high190–220 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.

Part of our complete guide to Heart Health Lab Tests — browse every panel and biomarker guide in this hub.

Promo code

CARDIOIQ22

Save 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.

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Frequently 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.

References

  1. [1] Apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease — F1000Research
  2. [2] Apolipoprotein B in the Risk Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Cardiometabolic Diseases — Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
  3. [3] ACC/AHA Issue Updated Guideline for Managing Lipids, Cholesterol — American Heart Association
  4. [4] Discordantly normal ApoB relative to elevated LDL-C in persons with metabolic disorders: A marker of atherogenic heterogeneity — American Journal of Preventive Cardiology
  5. [5] Human Genetics and the Causal Role of Lipoprotein(a) for Various Diseases — Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy
  6. [6] Lipoprotein(a) Testing Trends in the United States 2015-2024: An Analysis of 300 Million Individuals — JACC: Advances
  7. [7] About Lipoprotein (a) — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  8. [8] LDL: The 'Bad' Cholesterol — MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine, NIH)
  9. [9] Low-density lipoproteins cause atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: A consensus statement from the European Atherosclerosis Society Consensus Panel — European Heart Journal
  10. [10] Familial Hypercholesterolemia — GeneReviews, NCBI Bookshelf (NIH)
  11. [11] Hypercholesterolemia — StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf (NIH)
  12. [12] Low HDL Cholesterol — StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf (NIH)
  13. [13] HPS2-THRIVE, AIM-HIGH and dal-OUTCOMES: HDL-cholesterol under attack — Global Cardiology Science & Practice
  14. [14] Metabolic syndrome — MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine, NIH)
  15. [15] Cholesterol Levels: What You Need to Know — MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine, NIH)
  16. [16] C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Test — MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine, NIH)
  17. [17] Assessing Cardiovascular Risk with C-Reactive Protein — Johns Hopkins Medicine
  18. [18] C-Reactive Protein: Clinical Relevance and Interpretation — StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf (NIH/NLM)

Reviewed by

Jason August

Jason August

Founder & Editorial Lead

Jason August is the founder of Metabolic Markers and its parent company, Advancing Development. He has spent his career building and scaling real-world ventures, including as a founding team member at Build-A-Bear Workshop during its growth from startup to global public company, and since then across capital, real estate, adaptive reuse, and hospitality. He founded Metabolic Markers to make blood-biomarker testing easier to understand and access, and oversees the site’s content and editorial accuracy. Jason is not a medical professional; all content on this site is educational, reviewed for accuracy, and never a substitute for advice from a licensed physician.

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