Apolipoprotein B
Private Apolipoprotein B testing in London for £55, measuring one cardiovascular risk marker with results expected in around 1–2 days.
Turnaround time
1-2 business days
Biomarkers count
1
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Overview of the Apolipoprotein B Test
The Apolipoprotein B blood test measures Apolipoprotein B, commonly abbreviated to ApoB, the principal structural protein carried by atherogenic lipoprotein particles.
The test assesses 1 cardiovascular marker: Apolipoprotein B.
Atherogenic lipoproteins are cholesterol-carrying particles capable of entering the artery wall and contributing to atherosclerosis.
These particles include LDL, IDL, VLDL remnants and Lipoprotein (a).
Each circulating atherogenic particle generally carries one ApoB-containing structural protein.
For this reason, ApoB concentration provides an estimate of the number of atherogenic lipoprotein particles, rather than simply measuring how much cholesterol those particles contain.
This is an important distinction.
Two people can have similar LDL Cholesterol concentrations while carrying different numbers of LDL and remnant particles.
ApoB can therefore provide additional cardiovascular information where the standard cholesterol profile and underlying particle burden appear discordant.
This can be particularly relevant in people with high Triglycerides, diabetes, insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome.
ApoB is increasingly used alongside LDL Cholesterol and Non-HDL Cholesterol during cardiovascular risk assessment.
It can also be compared with Apolipoprotein A1, the principal protein associated with HDL particles.
The ApoB:ApoA1 relationship can provide additional information about the balance between atherogenic and HDL-associated lipoproteins.
ApoB should still be interpreted within the wider cardiovascular picture, including blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, family history, kidney function and other risk factors.
What Does the Apolipoprotein B Test Check?
The test measures Apolipoprotein B and provides an estimate of the concentration of circulating atherogenic lipoprotein particles. This test measures 1 biomarker.
Apolipoprotein B
Measures ApoB, the principal structural protein on atherogenic lipoprotein particles, providing information about particle burden and cardiovascular risk beyond cholesterol concentration alone.
Who May Benefit From the Apolipoprotein B Test?
ApoB testing can be particularly useful where a more detailed assessment of atherogenic lipoprotein burden is required.
People with a family history of premature cardiovascular disease - Advanced lipid markers can provide additional information beyond a standard cholesterol profile.
People with diabetes or insulin resistance - ApoB can identify increased atherogenic particle burden even where LDL Cholesterol appears less remarkable.
People with raised Triglycerides - Triglyceride-rich remnant particles contribute to ApoB concentration.
People with metabolic syndrome - ApoB can provide useful cardiovascular-risk information where several metabolic risk factors are present.
People with borderline or conflicting cholesterol results - ApoB can help clarify risk where LDL Cholesterol and Non-HDL Cholesterol do not tell the full story.
People taking lipid-lowering medication - Repeat ApoB can provide an additional treatment-response marker.
People with known cardiovascular disease - More intensive lipid assessment may include ApoB where clinically appropriate.
People seeking advanced preventative cardiovascular testing - ApoB can complement LDL Cholesterol, Lipoprotein (a), hsCRP and other risk markers.
How to Prepare
Do not stop lipid-lowering medication simply to obtain an untreated result unless this has been specifically advised by the clinician managing your cardiovascular risk.
Consistent testing conditions can make trends easier to interpret over time.
Symptoms and Reasons to Consider the Apolipoprotein B Test
Raised ApoB usually causes no symptoms. Testing is used to assess cardiovascular risk before complications develop.
A family history of early heart attack or stroke - Familial risk can justify more detailed lipid assessment.
Raised LDL Cholesterol - ApoB can provide information about the number of atherogenic particles carrying cholesterol.
Raised Triglycerides - ApoB can be particularly informative where triglyceride-rich particles are increased.
Diabetes or insulin resistance - Metabolic disease can produce a higher particle number even where LDL Cholesterol appears acceptable.
Metabolic syndrome - Multiple cardiovascular risk factors can make advanced lipid testing useful.
Known coronary or arterial disease - ApoB can be monitored as part of more intensive risk-factor management.
A previous raised ApoB result - Repeat testing can monitor response to lifestyle or medication changes.
Normal LDL Cholesterol despite ongoing cardiovascular concern - ApoB can reveal discordance between cholesterol concentration and particle number.
A high ApoB result does not mean that cardiovascular disease is currently present.
It is a risk marker and should be interpreted alongside the wider clinical picture.
Chest pain, severe breathlessness or symptoms suggesting an acute cardiovascular event require urgent medical assessment rather than a routine lipid test.
How to Book Your Apolipoprotein B Test
The Apolipoprotein B test can be booked privately for advanced assessment of atherogenic lipoprotein-particle burden.
Choose the Apolipoprotein B
Select the individual ApoB blood test online.
Select your sample collection option
Choose an in-clinic blood draw or professional home or hotel phlebotomy where suitable.
Attend your appointment
A trained healthcare professional collects the required venous blood sample.
Laboratory analysis
Your serum undergoes laboratory measurement of Apolipoprotein B.
Receive your results securely
Your authorised result is delivered securely and can be interpreted alongside cholesterol, Triglycerides, ApoA1 and Lipoprotein (a) where appropriate.
When Will I Receive My Results?
The current live London Blood Tests page lists a turnaround of approximately 1–2 days after laboratory receipt for Apolipoprotein B.
ApoB is processed using laboratory lipid-protein analysis together with the required quality-control and authorisation procedures.
Turnaround begins when the specimen reaches the laboratory rather than necessarily from the exact time the blood sample is collected.
Occasional repeat analysis or specimen issues can extend the expected reporting time.
Understanding Your Results
ApoB represents the concentration of atherogenic lipoprotein particles in the bloodstream.
A higher ApoB result generally indicates a greater number of cholesterol-carrying particles capable of contributing to atherosclerosis.
This can be clinically relevant even where LDL Cholesterol is not markedly raised.
Discordance can occur because each LDL particle can carry a different amount of cholesterol.
A person can therefore have a relatively ordinary LDL Cholesterol concentration but a high number of smaller cholesterol-poor ApoB-containing particles.
This pattern is particularly relevant in insulin resistance and hypertriglyceridaemia.
A lower ApoB result generally reflects a lower concentration of atherogenic particles.
Clinical targets can differ according to overall cardiovascular risk.
Someone with established cardiovascular disease, diabetes or other high-risk features may have a different treatment target from a person undergoing routine screening.
The result should therefore be interpreted alongside the person's overall cardiovascular-risk profile.
Why Book With London Blood Tests?
London Blood Tests provides private ApoB testing for people seeking a more detailed assessment of atherogenic cardiovascular risk.
Measures atherogenic particle burden - ApoB reflects the number of major cholesterol-carrying particles capable of contributing to atherosclerosis.
Adds information beyond LDL Cholesterol - ApoB can identify discordance between cholesterol concentration and particle number.
Useful in diabetes and insulin resistance - Metabolic disease can increase atherogenic particle burden.
Useful where Triglycerides are raised - Remnant lipoproteins also contribute to ApoB.
Can complement Apolipoprotein A1 - ApoA1 provides information about the main HDL-associated protein.
Rapid laboratory turnaround - Results are currently expected approximately 1–2 days after laboratory receipt.
Professional blood collection - Clinic and suitable home or hotel phlebotomy appointments are available.
Clear pricing - The Apolipoprotein B test costs £55.
Private Apolipoprotein B Blood Test in London
London Blood Tests provides private Apolipoprotein B testing for people requiring advanced cardiovascular or lipid assessment.
The test costs £55 and assesses 1 biomarker.
Results are expected approximately 1–2 days after laboratory receipt.
ApoB can provide important information beyond LDL Cholesterol alone, particularly where metabolic risk, raised Triglycerides or cardiovascular-risk discordance is present.