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🧪 Apolipoprotein A1 (Apo A1) Test

Parameter	Details
Full Name	Apolipoprotein A1
Sample Type	Blood (Serum)
Fasting Required	✅ Recommended (8–12 hours for lipid-related assessments)
Method	Immunoturbidimetry / Nephelometry
Turnaround Time	1–2 days

🔬 What Is Apo A1?

Apolipoprotein A1 (Apo A1) is the main protein component of High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL), often called the “good cholesterol.”

It helps remove excess cholesterol from tissues and blood vessels and transports it to the liver for elimination — a process called reverse cholesterol transport.
Apo A1 has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant roles that protect the cardiovascular system.

🧠 Organs/System Involved

Organ/System	Role
Liver & Intestine	Synthesize Apo A1
Heart & blood vessels	Protected by Apo A1 through cholesterol removal and anti-plaque activity

🎯 Why Is This Test Done?

Clinical Purpose	Use
✅ Evaluate cardiovascular risk	Low Apo A1 = higher risk of heart disease
🧪 Monitor HDL functionality	Provides deeper insight beyond HDL cholesterol levels alone
🧬 Diagnose dyslipidemia	Especially in patients with normal HDL but suspected risk
🩺 Track response to statins or lifestyle	Checks how well HDL function improves

📊 Interpretation of Results

Reference Range (may vary slightly)	Interpretation
Men: 110–180 mg/dL	Lower values = higher risk
Women: 120–200 mg/dL	Higher values = better cardiovascular protection
Low Apo A1	Increased risk for heart disease, stroke
High Apo A1	Protective; indicates efficient cholesterol removal

🧬 Conditions Associated With Abnormal Apo A1

Low Apo A1	High Apo A1
- Cardiovascular disease	- Good cardiovascular health
- Metabolic syndrome	- High HDL-C or high estrogen (e.g., pregnancy)
- Diabetes mellitus
- Liver disease (cirrhosis)
- Chronic inflammation or acute infections
- Nephrotic syndrome

🔁 Recommended Further Tests

Test	Why It's Done
Apolipoprotein B	To calculate Apo B: Apo A1 ratio, a strong cardiovascular risk marker
Lipid Profile	For total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides
hs-CRP	Detects vascular inflammation
Lipoprotein(a)	Independent cardiac risk marker
Homocysteine	Amino acid linked to endothelial damage
HbA1c / FBS	To check for co-existing diabetes

👨‍⚕️ Who Should Get This Test?

📌 Summary Table

Test	Apolipoprotein A1 (Apo A1)
Role	Main protein in HDL; helps remove excess cholesterol
Organ/System	Liver, heart, blood vessels
Fasting Required	✅ Yes (preferred for lipid interpretation)
Interpretation	Higher is better; low Apo A1 = increased cardiac risk
Add-on Tests	Apo B, Apo B:A1 Ratio, Lipid Panel, hs-CRP, Lp(a), Homocysteine

Apolipoprotein - A1