What is an Apolipoprotein B test?
Healthcare professionals use an Apolipoprotein B blood test to gain insights into your risk of developing cardiovascular disease. It is not a standard test offered in the UK and is usually only requested by specialist healthcare professionals to gain more accurate insights into your cardiovascular health.
This guide explains what an Apolipoprotein B test is, when it is usually requested, and what your results could mean. We also explain how it differs from an Apolipoprotein A test.
What is an Apolipoprotein?
Apolipoproteins are proteins that bind to lipids to form lipoproteins. Their main function is to transport lipids.
Apolipoporteins are essential in maintaining the structural integrity and solubility of lipoproteins and play an important role in lipoprotein receptor recognition and regulation of some enzymes in lipoprotein metabolism.
What is an Apolipoprotein B test?
An Apolipoprotein B test measures the amount of Apolipoprotein B in your blood. Apolipoprotein B has two main types: Apo B-100, made by the liver, and Apo B-48, produced in the small intestines.
An Apo B test typically measures Apo B-100, which binds with low-density or very low-density lipids to form LDL lipoproteins, also known as ‘bad cholesterol’. This means it can be used by healthcare professionals to help provide insights into one's risk of heart disease, to help determine the cause of high cholesterol, and to monitor the effectiveness of lipid treatment.
Research has shown that measuring Apo B may better predict heart and blood vessel disease risk than a standard lipid panel test. This is because each Apo B molecule carries one bad lipoprotein in a one-to-one ratio, so it can be measured more accurately.
You can find out more about the different types of cholesterol and how they can affect your health in our complete guide to the different types of cholesterol.
When is an Apolipoprotein B test used?
An Apolipoprotein B test, or Apo B test, is currently a non-standard test in the UK, and is often only used by specialists when healthcare professionals want to measure your cardiovascular disease risk.
An Apolipoprotein B test is usually requested if you have a family history of heart disease or other tests have shown a high concentration of lipids in your blood. Healthcare professionals want to determine your risk of cardiovascular disease. It can also be used to measure the effectiveness of lipid treatments.
What is the difference between an Apolipoprotein B test and an Apolipoprotein A test?
Both Apolipoprotein A and B test blood tests can offer insights into your cardiovascular health and your potential risk of developing heart disease. However, as the tests measure different apolipoproteins, they offer different insights.
An Apolipoprotein B test measures the number of Apo B proteins. These proteins bind to low-density lipoproteins (LDL) or very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), more commonly known as ‘bad cholesterol’. As a result, high levels of Apolipoprotein B can indicate that you are at higher risk of developing heart disease.
An Apolipoprotein A test measures the number of Apo A proteins. These proteins bind to high-density lipoproteins (HDL), more commonly known as ‘good cholesterol’. This means a higher Apolipoprotein A test can indicate higher levels of HDL cholesterol and a lower risk of developing heart disease.
What are normal Apolipoprotein B test results?
Apolipoprotein B test results generally range from 20 to 400 milligrams per decilitre (mg/dL).
A normal Apo B level is considered to be:
- 66 to 133mg/dL for a male
- 60 to 117mg/dL for a female
Results above these ideal ranges can indicate that you may be at higher risk of heart and blood vessel disease.
What conditions can increase your levels?
Your Apo B test results may be higher if you:
- Are pregnant
- Have high cholesterol
- Have a nephrotic syndrome like kidney disease
What conditions can reduce your levels?
Some conditions can cause your Apo B test results to be lower than expected, including:
- Sepsis
- Liver disease
Your results may also be lower if you take oestrogen medication.
What happens if I receive an abnormal Apolipoprotein B test result?
If you receive a higher-than-normal Apo B level test result, your doctor may advise you to start the same treatments as they would if you have high LDL cholesterol levels . This can include:
- Getting at least 30 minutes of exercise or more a day
- Eating plenty of fruit and vegetables
- Limiting the amount of saturated fats in your diet
- Maintaining a healthy weight for you
- Stopping smoking
- Taking a cholesterol-lowering drug, like a statin
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