Apolipoprotein B test can determine your risk of heart and blood vessel disease. Healthcare providers increasingly consider this test more accurate than a lipid panel test, especially for people with certain conditions.

Other Name

Apolipoprotein B-100 

What is an Apolipoprotein B test?

An Apo B or Apolipoprotein B-100 test measures the amount of Apo B in your blood, revealing your risk for cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) disease. Apo B carries substances that contribute to the formation of plaque, a waxy fat that can block your arteries.

Apolipoprotein B actively transports lipids, specifically low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and others, which have a bad reputation. High-density lipoproteins (HDL), considered good cholesterol, do not associate with Apo B. The presence of Apo B indicates the presence of LDL.

Some healthcare providers assert that an Apo B test is more accurate than a lipid panel, which measures all cholesterol types, in estimating cardiovascular disease risk.

When is an Apolipoprotein B test done?

Healthcare providers may order an Apo B test as an extra way to check your risk for heart and blood vessel disease. This test becomes useful if the usual risk factors don’t clearly show high or low risk. It’s also common after starting statin medication to lower bad cholesterol.

Researchers have found that measuring Apo B might be a better predictor of heart and blood vessel disease compared to a standard lipid panel test. The reason is simple: each Apo B molecule carries one of the bad lipoproteins, making counting more accurate with a one-to-one ratio.

While some providers use the subtraction of HDL cholesterol from total cholesterol in a lipid panel to predict heart disease, it’s not accurate for everyone. Apo B testing seems to be a better predictor, especially for people with metabolic syndrome or diabetes, where the characteristics of their LDL may be different.

Test Requirements

Fasting isn’t required for Apo B testing, but if you’re also getting a lipid panel test at the same time, it’s advisable to avoid eating or drinking anything (except water) for 12 hours before the test.

Results

For adults (>18 years), desirable Apo B is <90 mg/dL. Whereas, levels > or =140 mg/dL are considered very high levels. 

Note: High levels of apolipoprotein B (ApoB) increase the risk of heart and blood vessel problems, even if  LDL cholesterol levels seem okay.

Conditions that can elevate your Apo B test results include:

• Pregnancy.
• High cholesterol.
• Nephrotic syndrome, a kidney issue.

Conditions that can lower your Apo B test results comprise:

• Sepsis.
• Liver disease.
• Estrogen intake

Note: Extremely low values of ApoB (<48 mg/dL) are related to problems of absorbing fats from food and can lead to polyneuropathy, a condition that affects the nerves.

References

1. (N.d.). Retrieved from https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/overview/607593
2. professional, C. C. medical. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/24992-apolipoprotein-b-test