Apolipoprotein B (ApoB)
One apolipoprotein B molecule sits on every atherogenic lipoprotein particle — LDL, VLDL, IDL and Lp(a) alike — so measuring ApoB counts the particles directly rather than weighing the cholesterol they happen to be carrying. That distinction has consequences. Particle number predicts how much atherogenic material can penetrate the arterial wall better than cholesterol mass does, and someone with insulin resistance, obesity or high triglycerides can carry a large number of small, cholesterol-depleted LDL particles while still returning a reassuring LDL-C.
Sniderman AD, Thanassoulis G, Glavinovic T, et al. “Apolipoprotein B Particles and Cardiovascular Disease: A Narrative Review.” JAMA Cardiology 2019;4(12):1287–1295 concludes that ApoB outperforms both LDL-C and non-HDL-C for cardiovascular risk discrimination, with Mendelian randomisation data supporting a causal, particle-number-driven mechanism. The 2019 ESC/EAS dyslipidaemia guideline names ApoB as a preferred or optional risk marker, particularly with high triglycerides, diabetes, obesity, or very low LDL-C.
Sniderman AD, et al. JAMA Cardiol. 2019. PubMed: PMID 31642874 · Full cost breakdown & why it beats LDL-C →
Singapore pricing. We have a full price breakdown for this test, using checked 2026 figures from named providers — read the price guide →