Test Details
Apolipoprotein B (apoB)
ApoB is a protein produced in the liver and intestine that provides structure to triglyceride (TG) carrying atherogenic lipoprotein particles. Each particle carries only one apoB protein. Thus, apoB is a direct measure of the number of atherogenic particles in the bloodstream. ApoB is also a surrogate marker for LDL particle concentration or LDL particle number since LDL comprises about 90% of the atherogenic lipoprotein particles.
- Very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL)
- Intermediate-density lipoproteins (IDL)
- Low-density lipoproteins (LDL)
- Lp(a)
- Chylomicrons
Methodology
Immunoturbidimetric
Patient Preparation
None
Preferred Specimen
Green Top Tube
(Lithium Heparin plasma separator tube with gel)
Alternate Specimen
Dried Blood collected on an AdvanceDx 100 card
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated (ship on frozen cold packs)
Stability
Refrigerated: 7 days
Lab Values
Apolipoprotein B (apoB)
| Age | Optimal | Borderline | Increased Risk |
| ≤18 yrs | <90 mg/dL | 90 – 109 mg/dL | >109 mg/dL |
| >18 | <80 mg/dL | 80 – 120 mg/dL | >120 mg/dL |
Clinical Significance
Apolipoprotein B (apoB)
Elevated levels of apoB are significant predictors of heart disease and are a more significant indicator of CVD than LDL-C.1
References:
- Tsai MY, Steff en BT, Guan W, et al. New automated assay of small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol identifies risk of coronary heart disease: the Multi-ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2014;34(1):196-201.
Treatment Options
Apolipoprotein B (apoB)
- Lifestyle modification
- Statins
- Niacin
- Fibrates
- Cholesterol absorption inhibitors
- Bile acid sequestrants
