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Anyone familiar with the Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) blood test?
I have coronary artery disease have 5 stents in 2022. Exersise every day 60 minutes on treadmill no problems. Put in Rouavastin 20 mg. LDL Cholestrol been in mid 30s since. Ask cardlogist if Apo B should be checked as well. I was told that the practice did not check apo b levels at this practice. I would like thoughts on this topic. I am not diabetic and trigelsrides are normal as well
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@tbr Interesting question - I was not familiar with the measure, and my cardiologist hasn't suggested it either, so I did some looking. Here is what I found:
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.124.068885
Perhaps the lack of clear guidance on how to use/interpret the test results means it would be of limited use in managing your care?
Why not do your own research on the subject, and go back to the cardiologist with more information on your next visit?
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2 ReactionsAll statins prevent your liver from secreting cholesterol while you sleep.
I have read articles that say too low is no good.
https://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/cholesterol-too-low
I watch my intake of animal fats. My ldl in in the 40's. I take 1/2 10mg Atorvastatin every other night.
@sueinmn Good reference.
Yes, high numbers reveal a genetic variant that allows cholesterol to penetrate the vessel wall.
Clinical trials for gene therapy and RNA-based therapies targeting lipoprotein-related disorders might be available.
Mine are elevated indicating a genetic origin for high ldl familial hypercholesterolemia . Mine weren't high enough for the crispr trial.
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1 ReactionIt’s a nice test that provides pretty much duplicate info that more acceptable tests provide and these other tests are covered by Medicare while the ApoB is not a Medicare covered service. It hasn’t passed muster putting it simply.
@jenatsky not sure about muster. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/24992-apolipoprotein-b-test Original Medicare paid for mine.
Here is the biggest reason it’s not currently covered by any insurance. In short there’s insufficient numbers of tests being performed for the AMA or Medicare to give it a real CPT code in order to bill it and have it paid. If not sure under what circumstances you had your test.
@jenatsky, the CPT code 82172. It may require a diagnosis--hyperlipidemia.
I keep finding that payment for this test is still hit and miss and although it has been assigned a CPT code that alone is never a guarantee that any insurance will cover it. LabCorp charges $69.00 for the test from my research.