Thanks Paddy, great article. Where in Ireland can you get tested for this? I live in Switzerland and got tested here (found out I've raised levels) and would like to let my family know where is the easiest place to get it tested in Ireland. Thanks
My initial Lp(a) was 349 nmol/L a year ago. Yikes! My doctor advised me to take 1500mg of niacin every night before bed. Sometimes the niacin causes me to wake up due to a “flush” feeling, a sort of uncomfortable warming sensation like my insides are heating up like an oven, accompanied by itching on my arms and trunk. However these occasions are worth the discomfort because the niacin has brought down my Lp(a) to 101 as of my March 2025 blood work! 🥳 It might not work as effectively for everyone, and some folks might find the “flushes” too awful, but I’m glad to take niacin until Lp(a)-lowering drugs pass clinical trials and become available by Rx. Thanks for alerting your readers to check their Lp(a)!
The assay usedby LabCorp here in the US has a LLOQ of 8.4 nmol/L. I was <than LLOQ so I guess I have nothing to worry about for Lp(a) but why not better sensitivity? Does it even matter? I’m thinking that it doesn’t and the risk at <LLOQ is the same as 1/2 LLOQ or even zero. Thoughts?
Thanks Paddy, great article. Where in Ireland can you get tested for this? I live in Switzerland and got tested here (found out I've raised levels) and would like to let my family know where is the easiest place to get it tested in Ireland. Thanks
Some GPs can do it but it is possible to do in any hospital.
My initial Lp(a) was 349 nmol/L a year ago. Yikes! My doctor advised me to take 1500mg of niacin every night before bed. Sometimes the niacin causes me to wake up due to a “flush” feeling, a sort of uncomfortable warming sensation like my insides are heating up like an oven, accompanied by itching on my arms and trunk. However these occasions are worth the discomfort because the niacin has brought down my Lp(a) to 101 as of my March 2025 blood work! 🥳 It might not work as effectively for everyone, and some folks might find the “flushes” too awful, but I’m glad to take niacin until Lp(a)-lowering drugs pass clinical trials and become available by Rx. Thanks for alerting your readers to check their Lp(a)!
The assay usedby LabCorp here in the US has a LLOQ of 8.4 nmol/L. I was <than LLOQ so I guess I have nothing to worry about for Lp(a) but why not better sensitivity? Does it even matter? I’m thinking that it doesn’t and the risk at <LLOQ is the same as 1/2 LLOQ or even zero. Thoughts?