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HelpEpic Test Code LAB3739 Apolipoprotein B, Serum
Additional Codes
MML:APOLB
Specimen Required
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum into plastic vial. Send refrigerated.
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
0.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 8 days | |
| Frozen | 60 days | ||
| Ambient | 24 hours |
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | Reject |
| Gross lipemia | OK |
| Gross icterus | Reject |
Clinical Information
Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) is the primary protein component of low-density lipoprotein (LDL). LDL contains a variable amount of cholesterol, but each LDL contains exactly one ApoB protein. Therefore, ApoB is a more reliable indicator of circulating LDL compared to LDL cholesterol (LDL-C). ApoB has been demonstrated to perform equally with LDL particles measured by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.(1)
ApoB is strongly associated with increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) and often outperforms LDL-C at predicting risk of coronary heart disease.(2-4) Patients with acceptable non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) or LDL-C but elevated ApoB remain at higher risk of developing CVD; conversely, patients with acceptably low ApoB but moderate non-HDL-C or LDL-C elevations are at a reduced risk for CVD.(5,6)
Finally, in 7 different placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials, on-statin reduction of ApoB was more closely related to CVD risk reduction than non-HDL-C or LDL-C.(7)
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
Greater than 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.
Extremely low values of ApoB (<48 mg/dL) are related to malabsorption of food lipids and can lead to polyneuropathy.
Cautions
In very rare cases, gammopathy, type IgM (Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia) in particular, may cause unreliable results.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday
Report Available
1 to 3 daysSpecimen Retention Time
7 daysPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
CPT Code Information
82172