Lesser-Known Facts to Know About Apolipoprotein B-100 (Apob) Test

The apoB test assists the doctor to measure the risk of heart disease in the patients. It checks for the amount of apolipoprotein B in blood as it links to LDL or bad cholesterol.

LDL results in build up of plaque in the walls of blood vessels which further damages the arteries and causes heart disease. If you need apoB test in the UK read on this blog first as it will let you know some unknown facts about it.

What’s Apolipoprotein B?

apoB- 100 is the protein which carries cholesterol and fat throughout the body. In acronym, it refers to as apolipoprotein B.

Every human body deems cholesterol and fat for production of hormones to keep the cells healthy. Although essential yet cholesterol and fat will never dissolve perfectly in blood. To meet the need of the body they pack into compounds called lipoprotein with apolipoprotein outside.

apoB is the carrier of a variety of lipoproteins namely bad cholesterol:

• Intermediate-density lipoproteins (IDL)
• Low density lipoproteins (LDL)
• Very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL)
• Lipoproteins such as chylomicrons

Two kinds of apoB are there- apoB-48 that forms the gut and secondly apoB-100 which forms the liver. apoB- 48 carries cholesterol and fat to liver where it will repack with apoB-100 to form apoB-100. Then it will transfer to the entire body.

This protein attaches to cell receptors that help in seeping the bad cholesterol or lipoprotein in cells. When it breaks down inside, it releases cholesterol and fat into main blood stream! As a result, it can lead to deposition of plaque in lood vessels.

What is the necessity of Apolipoprotein B-100 Test?

Healthy people possess low-density cholesterol. But a high number in the count can heighten the chance of heart problems. Although each cholesterol carries an apoB the Apolipoprotein B-100 Test is essential for measuring the total count of bad cholesterol or lipoproteins in the blood.

Doctor can suggest this test due to a number of reasons, such as:

• Existing blood fats or high blood cholesterol
• Monitoring the treatment
• Earlier diagnosed heart issues
• Family history with heart disease

Even the doctor can suggest other tests with apoB-100 test. It may comprise lipid panel that helps in measuring a number of things like:

• LDL (low-density lipoprotein) rates
• Presence of high-density lipoprotein or good cholesterol
• Triglyceride levels
• Cholesterol levels

In the end the doctor will compare the results of both tests for analysing the overall chance of heart disease.

How Apolipoprotein B-100 test takes place?

apoB test takes place with the help of simple blood test in London. A phlebotomist or a nurse will collect the blood sample from the arm of the patients to analyse it under the microscope in lab.

However, if the doctor recommends other tests such as lipid panel then fasting is necessary for 12-hour before the test. During fasting, you can only drink water. But still, you need to confirm from the doctor whether you can drink water or not. To know the Apolipoprotein B test cost it is better to consult with the nearby doctor.

What normal results mean?

The usual range for apoB is below 100 mg/dL of blood. The normal test result refers that there is correct amount of lipoproteins in the blood which is why the chance for heart disease is quite low.

On another flip, abnormal results will refer to other things:

High apoB level: If any patients find high apoB level that normal then they have high risk of heart disease in the near future.

The conditions which can increase the level of apoB are:

• Pregnancy is responsible for temporary high level
• Diabetes
• Kidney disease
• Underactive thyroid

Low apoB level: In case you have lower range than normal then there must be some underlying problems. Those are preventing the body from generating more apolipoproteins or lipoproteins. Such conditions are:

• Deficiency of Apolipoprotein B, the rare genetic condition namely Bassen-Kornzweig syndrome
• Severe sickness
• Liver scarring or cirrhosis
• Malnutrition
• Overactive thyroid
• Reye syndrome

In fact the doctor will also compare the level of apoA and apoB level in blood. The former one refers to apolipoprotein links to good cholesterol. If the patient has more apoB over apoA then there is high risk for heart disease.

Which affects the test results?

Apart from conditions which result in higher or lower levels, certain other lifestyle factors and medications are there which can impact the results. It comprises of the following:

• Herbs and certain supplements
• High-fat diet
• Weight loss
• Surgery
• Vitamin B3
• Statins
• Thyroid medications
• Diuretics
• Beta blockers
• Hormone drugs such as progestins, estrogens and androgens

Ensure to consult with the doctor regarding all the supplements and medications you are taking at present. You must know that apoB test result also varies depending on region and lab along with age, health history and gender of the patients.

You can perform apoB blood test at private Blood Tests London Clinic. On obtaining the results, you can consult with the doctor to analyse it and seek the treatment accordingly.