Home
HelpTest Code APOLB; SQ: APLBM Apolipoprotein B, Serum
Ordering Guidance
If only apolipoprotein B is required, order this test.
If both apolipoprotein A and apolipoprotein B are required, order APOAB / Apolipoprotein A1 and B, Serum.
Shipping Instructions
Send specimen refrigerated.
Specimen Required
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL serum
Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send 1 of the following with the specimen:
-Cardiovascular Test Request Form (T724)
-General Test Request (T239)
Secondary ID
614544Useful For
Assessment of cardiovascular risk
Follow-up studies in individuals with basic lipid measures inconsistent with risk factors or clinical presentation
Definitive studies of cardiac risk factors in individuals with significant family histories of coronary artery disease or other increased risk factors
Confirmation of suspected abetalipoproteinemia or hypobetalipoproteinemia
Method Name
Automated Turbidimetric Immunoassay
Reporting Name
Apolipoprotein B, SSpecimen Type
SerumSpecimen Minimum Volume
Serum: 0.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 8 days |
| Frozen | 60 days | |
| Ambient | 24 hours |
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | Reject |
| Gross lipemia | OK |
| Gross icterus | Reject |
Clinical Information
Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) is the primary protein component of low-density lipoprotein (LDL). LDL contains a variable amount of cholesterol, but each LDL contains exactly one ApoB protein. Therefore, ApoB is a more reliable indicator of circulating LDL compared to LDL cholesterol (LDL-C). ApoB has been demonstrated to perform equally with LDL particles measured by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.(1)
Apolipoprotein B is strongly associated with increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) and often outperforms LDL-C at predicting risk of coronary heart disease.(2-4) Patients with acceptable non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) or LDL-C but elevated ApoB remain at higher risk of developing CVD; conversely, patients with acceptably low ApoB but moderate non-HDL-C or LDL-C elevations are at a reduced risk for CVD.(5,6)
Finally, in 7 different placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials, on-statin reduction of ApoB was more closely related to CVD risk reduction than non-HDL-C or LDL-C.(7)
Reference Values
Less than 2 years: Not established
2-17 years:
Acceptable: <90 mg/dL
Borderline high: 90-109 mg/dL
High: ≥110 mg/dL
≥18 years:
Desirable: <90 mg/dL
Above Desirable: 90-99 mg/dL
Borderline high: 100-119 mg/dL
High: 120-139 mg/dL
Very high: ≥140 mg/dL
Interpretation
Elevated apolipoprotein B (ApoB) confers increased risk of coronary artery disease. ApoB can be used as a therapeutic target analogous to non-HDL-C and LDL-C.
Apolipoprotein B values less than 48 mg/dL are considered very low (<2.5th population percentile). Possible causes include aggressive lipid-lowering therapy, malnutrition, hepatobiliary disease or drug interactions. Decreased ApoB may indicate hypobetalipoproteinemia (HBL). Genetic testing for HBL is available (HYPBG / Hypobetalipoproteinemia Gene Panel, Varies).
Method Description
Anti-apolipoprotein B antibodies react with the antigen in the sample to form antigen:antibody complexes, which, following agglutination, can be measured turbidimetrically.(Package Insert: Tina-quant Apolipoprotein B. Roche Diagnostics; V13.0 03/2022)
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Test Classification
This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
82172
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| APOLB | Apolipoprotein B, S | 1884-6 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| APOLB | Apolipoprotein B, S | 1884-6 |