Apolipoprotein A and B

General Information

Apolipoprotein A (ApoA)is the major protein component of high density lipoprotein (HDL). Due to the difficulty in measuring HDL, ApoA may represent a more reliable indicator of HDL status. Measurement is also indicated for diagnosis of ApoA deficiencies such as Tangier disease and fish eye disease.

Apolipoprotein B (ApoB)is the primary apolipoprotein of low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Due to the difficulty of directly measuring LDL, some feel that measurement of ApoB could be a more reliable indicator of cardiovascular disease risk than the measurement of LDL cholesterol.

Measurement is also indicated in the diagnosis of disorders of the synthesis and secretion of the ApoB containing lipoproteins which include but are not limited to: familial combined hyperlipidaemia, hyperapobetalipoproteinaemia and hypobetalipoproteinaemia.

Both ApoA and ApoB may provide additional information in specific situations but do not replace the lipid tests commonly available.