Apo B

Also known as Apolipoprotein B; Cardiac marker test. Usually done as a part of Advanced Lipid Profile or Cardiac marker lab test.

Why test for Serum Apo B level at Symbion VIP Diagnostics, Ahmedabad ?

Also known as Apolipoprotein A1; Cardiac marker test. Usually done as a part of Advanced Lipid Profile or Cardiac marker lab test when you have a personal or family history of heart disease and/or high cholesterol and triglyceride levels and your health care provider is trying to determine your risk of developing CVD; sometimes on a regular basis when you are being treated for high cholesterol; rarely when your health practitioner suspects that you have an inherited apo B deficiency.

Elevated levels of apo B correspond to elevated levels of LDL-C and to non-HDL-C and are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Elevations may be due to a high-fat diet and/or decreased clearing of LDL from the blood.

Some genetic disorders are the direct (primary) cause of abnormal levels of apo B. For example, familial combined hyperlipidemia is an inherited disorder causing high blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. Abetalipoproteinemia, also called Apolipoprotein B deficiency or Bassen-Kornzweig syndrome, is a very rare genetic condition that can cause abnormally low levels of apo B. For more on some of these disorders, see the Related Content section.

Abnormal levels of apo B can also be caused by underlying conditions or other factors (secondary causes). Increased levels of apo B are seen, for example, in:

• Diabetes
• Use of drugs such as: androgens, beta blockers, diuretics, progestins (synthetic progesterones)
• Hypothyroidism
• Nephrotic syndrome (a kidney disease)
• Pregnancy (levels increase temporarily and decrease again after delivery)

Apo B levels may be decreased with any condition that affects lipoprotein production or affects its synthesis and packaging in the liver. Lower levels are seen with secondary causes such as:

• Use of drugs such as: estrogen (in post-menopausal women), lovastatin, simvastatin, niacin, and thyroxine
• Hyperthyroidism
• Malnutrition
• Reye syndrome
• Weight reduction
• Severe illness
• Surgery
• Cirrohsis

An increased ratio of apo B to apo A-I may indicate a higher risk of developing CVD.