Also Known As
Apolipoprotein B-100
Apolipoprotein B-48
Formal Name
Apolipoprotein B
This article was last reviewed on
This article waslast modified on 9 December 2024.
At a Glance
Why Get Tested?

To help evaluate your risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) and to diagnose people with specific Apo B disorders.

When To Get Tested?

This is a non-standard test currently limited mostly to hospital specialists. It can be measured when you have a personal or family history of heart disease and/or high concentrations of lipids in the blood (hyperlipidaemia) and your doctor is trying to determine your risk of developing CVD; sometimes measured to help monitor treatment for hyperlipidaemia or to help diagnose a rare apo B deficiency. 

Sample Required?

A blood sample taken from a vein in your arm

Test Preparation Needed?

No special preparation is needed for an apolipoprotein B test

On average it takes 7 working days for the blood test results to come back from the hospital, depending on the exact tests requested. Some specialist test results may take longer, if samples have to be sent to a reference (specialist) laboratory. The X-ray & scan results may take longer. If you are registered to use the online services of your local practice, you may be able to access your results online. Your GP practice will be able to provide specific details.

If the doctor wants to see you about the result(s), you will be offered an appointment. If you are concerned about your test results, you will need to arrange an appointment with your doctor so that all relevant information including age, ethnicity, health history, signs and symptoms, laboratory and other procedures (radiology, endoscopy, etc.), can be considered.

Lab Tests Online-UK is an educational website designed to provide patients and carers with information on laboratory tests used in medical care. We are not a laboratory and are unable to comment on an individual's health and treatment.

Reference ranges are dependent on many factors, including patient age, sex, sample population, and test method, and numeric test results can have different meanings in different laboratories.

For these reasons, you will not find reference ranges for the majority of tests described on this web site. The lab report containing your test results should include the relevant reference range for your test(s). Please consult your doctor or the laboratory that performed the test(s) to obtain the reference range if you do not have the lab report.

For more information on reference ranges, please read Reference Ranges and What They Mean.

What is being tested?

This test measures the amount of apolipoprotein B (apo B) in the blood. Apolipoproteins are the protein component of lipoproteins, complexes that transport lipids throughout the bloodstream. Apolipoproteins provide structural support to lipoproteins and shield the water-repellent (hydrophobic) lipids at their centre. 

There are two forms of apolipoprotein B: apo B-100 and apo B-48. Apo B-100 is made by the liver, while apo B-...

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