Are you constantly worried about your cholesterol? Your doctor may have ordered a blood test to check your cholesterol. In addition to the standard lipid profile test, doctors sometimes recommend a special test to look more deeply into your risk of heart disease. One such test is the ApoB test. This can give you a much clearer picture of whether you are at risk for heart disease.
What exactly is Apolipoprotein B?
Simply put, apolipoprotein B-100, or ApoB for short, is a protein that helps carry fat and cholesterol throughout our bodies.
Think about it this way. Both fat and cholesterol are essential for keeping our body's cells healthy and producing hormones. But the problem is, neither of them dissolves in the blood. It's like putting oil in water. So, we need a special 'package' to transport them to all parts of the body. That package is what we call a lipoprotein . The ApoB protein sits on the back of this lipoprotein package and acts as the 'driver' that carries it.
Most importantly, the ApoB protein is associated with the types of lipoproteins that are harmful to our bodies, the so-called "bad cholesterol." These can build up inside our blood vessels, clogging them and leading to heart disease.
| Types of "bad" lipoproteins carried by the ApoB protein | |
|---|---|
| Very low density lipoproteins | Very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) |
| Low-density lipoproteins | Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) |
| Intermediate-density lipoproteins | Intermediate-density lipoproteins (IDL) |
The ApoB protein attaches to the cells of our body and helps the lipoprotein package enter the cell. It is then broken down, releasing fat and cholesterol into the blood. When the amount of this bad cholesterol increases, it starts to deposit in the blood vessels.
Why do I need to do this ApoB-100 test?
A healthy person has very little low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in their blood. But an increase in that amount increases the risk of heart disease. Importantly, each bad cholesterol particle contains one ApoB protein.
That means that if we can measure the amount of ApoB protein, it can give us a very accurate picture of the total amount of bad cholesterol particles in our blood. This can sometimes give us a more accurate picture than measuring our average LDL cholesterol levels.
There are several reasons why your doctor may recommend this test:
- If anyone in your family has heart disease .
- If you have already been diagnosed with heart disease .
- Monitor the success of treatments for heart disease.
- If you already have high levels of cholesterol or triglycerides .
Often, your doctor will also order a general lipid panel along with the ApoB test. This measures things like cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, "good" cholesterol (HDL), and "bad" cholesterol (LDL). These two reports are combined to give a complete assessment of your heart disease risk.
How do you do this test?
It's very simple. The ApoB test is a simple blood test . At the lab, a nurse or technician takes a small amount of blood from a vein in your arm.
But remember, if your doctor has ordered other tests, such as a lipid panel, you may be asked to fast for about 12 hours . This means that you should not eat or drink anything other than water for 12 hours before the test. Your doctor will advise you about this in advance.
What does the test report say?
ApoB values are usually measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).
| Result | Meaning and possible causes |
|---|---|
| Normal value (Less than 90 mg/dL) | The bad lipoproteins in your blood are at a healthy level. The risk of heart disease is low. |
| High value (High) (greater than 110 mg/dL) | You have a higher than average risk of developing heart disease. This may be due to:
|
| Low value (Low) | This can also be caused by certain health problems. The body may not be able to properly manufacture lipoproteins. |
Sometimes, your doctor will compare your ApoB (bad) level with your ApoA (the protein that carries good cholesterol). If your ApoB is higher than your ApoA, that's also a sign of increased risk of heart disease.
Are there other reasons why the values in the report may change?
Yes, absolutely. In addition to the medical conditions mentioned above, some medications you take and lifestyle factors can also affect your ApoB levels.
- Types of hormones (Androgens, Estrogens)
- High blood pressure medications such as beta-blockers
- Diuretics
- Thyroid medication
- Statins, a type of cholesterol-lowering drug
- Undergoing surgery
- Weight loss or gain
- High-fat diet
- Some vitamins and supplements you take
Therefore, before having this test, it is imperative that you inform your doctor about every medication, vitamin, and supplement you are taking.
Also, remember that these normal values may vary slightly depending on different labs, the method used, your age, gender, and health history. So to know exactly what your report means, talk to your doctor. He or she will explain it to you clearly.
Take-Home Message
- ApoB is a protein that carries "bad cholesterol" (LDL, VLDL) particles in our body.
- The ApoB test can accurately measure the amount of bad cholesterol particles in the blood. This is very important for assessing heart disease risk.
- Elevated ApoB levels are a sign of increased risk of heart disease. However, abnormally low levels can also indicate other health problems.
- The medications you take and your lifestyle can also affect the results of this test.
- The best and only person to talk to about the true meaning of your test report and the next steps to take is your doctor.
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