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HelpTest Code APOLB 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)
Useful 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 |
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).
Clinical Reference
1. Cole TG, Contois JH, Csako G, et al. Association of apolipoprotein B and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy-derived LDL particle number with outcomes in 25 clinical studies: assessment by the AACC Lipoprotein and Vascular Diseases Division Working Group on best practices. Clin Chem. 2013;59(8):752-770
2. Sierra-Johnson J, Fisher RM, Romero-Corral A, et al. Concentration of apolipoprotein B is comparable with the apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A-I ratio and better than routine clinical lipid measurements in predicting coronary heart disease mortality: findings from a multi-ethnic US population. Eur Heart J. 2009;30(6):710-717
3. Steffen BT, Guan W, Remaley AT, et al. Use of lipoprotein particle measures for assessing coronary heart disease risk Post-American Heart Association / American College of Cardiology Guidelines: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2015;35(2):448-454
4. Thompson A, Danesh J. Associations between apolipoprotein B, apolipoprotein AI, the apolipoprotein B/AI ratio and coronary heart disease: a literature-based meta-analysis of prospective studies. J Intern Med. 2006;259(5):481-492
5. Mora S, Buring JE, Ridker PM. Discordance of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol with alternative LDL-related measures and future coronary events. Circulation. 2014;129(5):553-561
6. Pencina MJ, D'Agostino RB, Zdrojewski T, et al. Apolipoprotein B improves risk assessment of future coronary heart disease in the Framingham Heart Study beyond LDL-C and non-HDL-C. Eur J Prev Cardiol. 2015;22(10):1321-7. doi:10.1177/2047487315569411
7. Thanassoulis G, Williams K, Ye K, et al. Relations of change in plasma levels of LDL-C, non-HDL-C and apoB with risk reduction from statin therapy: a meta-analysis of randomized trials. J Am Heart Assoc. 2014;3(2):e000759
8. Jacobson TA, Ito MK, Maki KC, et al. National Lipid Association recommendations for patient-centered management of dyslipidemia: Part 1-executive summary. J Clin Lipidol. 2014;8(5):473-488
9. Expert panel on integrated guidelines for cardiovascular health and risk reduction in children and adolescents: summary report. Pediatrics. 2011;128 Suppl 5:S213-S256
10. Contois JH, McConnell JP, Sethi AA, et al. Apolipoprotein B and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Position Statement from the AACC Lipoproteins and Vascular Diseases Division Working Group on Best Practices. Clinical Chemistry. 2009:55:3:407-419
11. Cao J, Donato L, El-Khoury JM, Goldberg A, Meeusen JW, Remaley AT. ADLM Guidance Document on the measurement and reporting of lipids and lipoproteins. J Appl Lab Med, 2024; 9(5):1040-1056
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday
Report Available
1 to 3 daysPerforming 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 |