Apolipoprotein B (ApoB).
Apo B is an important protein found in LDL and VLDL, the fat particles that carry cholesterol and triglycerides through your body. Elevated Apo B levels often indicate high LDL ("bad" cholesterol) and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
The body needs cholesterol. If too much bad cholesterol (LDL) is present in the body, it can lead to fatty deposits in the blood vessels (plaques) and stiffening of the blood vessels. As a result, a blockage can occur, leading to a heart attack.
The amount of Apo B increases when the amount of LDL in the blood increases and decreases when the amount of LDL in the blood decreases.
An elevated Apo B result can fit with:
- Large amounts of fat in the blood (hyperlipidemia)
- Untreated diabetes
- Use of drugs such as hormones (progestogens and androgens), some blood pressure-lowering drugs (beta blockers) and urinary pills
- An inherited disease with high cholesterol and triglycerides (familial combined hyperlipidemia)
- Decreased thyroid function (hypothyroidism)
- Kidney disease (nephrotic syndrome)
- Pregnancy (temporary increase in ApoB)
A lowered ApoB result may fit:
- Use of medicines, such as some hormones (oestrogens, contraceptive pill) cholesterol-lowering drugs and thyroid hormone
- Enhanced thyroid function (hyperthyroidism)
- Malnutrition
- A rare disease (Reye's syndrome)
- Lines (weight loss)
- Serious illnesses
- Operation
- Liver disease (cirrhosis)
- A rare inherited disease (apolipoprotein B deficiency)
With increased ApoB, there is often also increased LDL ("bad" cholesterol). This may be because the food contains too much fat or because the body cannot clear LDL. With an elevated LDL, the risk of cardiovascular disease is increased.
ApoB lowered in: Lipoprotein deficiency, hyperlipoproteinemia type I (inherited metabolic disease)
ApoB increased in: Hyperlipoproteinemia type II, III, V, heart attack, PAOD, vascular complaints legs (etalage legs)
