What is Lp(a)?
Lp(a)
Lipoprotein(a), commonly abbreviated Lp(a), is a lipoprotein particle in the blood whose levels are largely genetically determined and which is studied as a cardiovascular risk marker and as a target of RNA-based therapies such as siRNA and antisense oligonucleotides.
How it developed
- Sep 2025 - Derek said androgens uniquely suppress Lp(a), a factor he noted is typically not manipulable through diet or lifestyle.
- Sep 2026 - Marios Georgakis said Lp(a) levels are largely genetically determined, by some studies up to 90%.
- Sep 2026 - Georgakis said siRNA and antisense approaches lower Lp(a) by up to 97 to 99%.
- Sep 2026 - Georgakis said a 100 mg/dL reduction in Lp(a) would be needed to achieve a 20 to 25% risk reduction comparable to a 40 mg/day reduction in LDL cholesterol.
In the evidence
Every line below is attributed to a named speaker.
A 100 mg/dL reduction in Lp(a) is needed to match the cardiovascular risk reduction from a 40 mg/dL LDL reduction, roughly 20 to 25 percent.
“We would need a 100 milligrams per deciliter reduction in LP little A to achieve a risk reduction that would be comparable to what we see with 40 milligs per day reduction in LDL cholesterol which would be 20 to 25% risk reduction.”Marios Georgakis · 14 Sep 2026
siRNA drugs lower Lp(a) by up to 97 to 99 percent, compared to roughly 70 to 80 percent for antisense oligonucleotide drugs.
“The sirnas versus the anticensites do that. They as you said they lower l a by up to 97 98 99%.”Marios Georgakis · 14 Sep 2026
Lp(a) levels are up to 90 percent heritable according to some studies, making them largely genetically determined.
“Lp little a levels are largely genetically determined. So up according to some studies up to 90%.”Marios Georgakis · 14 Sep 2026
Androgens suppress Lp(a), a cardiovascular risk marker that is otherwise largely unresponsive to diet and lifestyle interventions.
“Androgens suppress LP little A uniquely, which a lot of people don't realize is affected by androgens, which is typically not something that can be manipulated through anything really that I'm aware of through like diet and lifestyle.”Derek · 9 Sep 2025