Other names: Apo B, Apolipoproteins B, Apolipoprotein B (APOB)
Optimal Result:
0 - 90 mg/dL,
or
0 - 0.9 g/L.
Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) is a key structural protein found in lipoproteins that carry cholesterol and triglycerides through your bloodstream. Each atherogenic (artery-clogging) particle—such as LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein), VLDL (Very Low-Density Lipoprotein), IDL (Intermediate-Density Lipoprotein), and Lipoprotein(a)—contains one molecule of ApoB. That means ApoB gives a direct count of the number of atherogenic particles in your blood, which is more clinically relevant than just measuring the amount of cholesterol.
While traditional cholesterol tests like LDL-C (LDL cholesterol) estimate the cholesterol content within LDL particles, ApoB actually counts the number of particles, regardless of how much cholesterol each one contains. This matters because it’s the number of ApoB-containing particles that drives plaque buildup in arteries (atherosclerosis)—not just the amount of cholesterol inside them.
Studies consistently show that ApoB is a stronger predictor of cardiovascular risk than LDL-C. Elevated ApoB levels are linked to:
Heart disease
Stroke
Peripheral artery disease
Insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome
An ApoB test measures the concentration of apolipoprotein B in your blood, typically reported in mg/dL. It reflects the total number of atherogenic particles, including LDL, VLDL, IDL, and Lp(a).
Optimal: < 90 mg/dL
Borderline: 90–99 mg/dL
Elevated: ≥ 100 mg/dL
Some cardiology guidelines define high-risk thresholds even lower for individuals with known heart disease, diabetes, or familial hypercholesterolemia.
An elevated ApoB level means there are too many cholesterol-carrying particles circulating in your blood, increasing the likelihood that they will penetrate artery walls, become oxidized, and trigger inflammation. This process leads to plaque buildup, narrowing arteries, and raising the risk of heart attacks or strokes.
High ApoB can be due to:
Diet high in saturated fats and refined carbs
Insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes
Genetic lipid disorders (e.g., familial hypercholesterolemia)
Obesity or metabolic syndrome
Sedentary lifestyle
Poor thyroid function (hypothyroidism)
A low ApoB level is generally considered favorable and associated with lower cardiovascular risk. However, extremely low levels can occur in rare genetic disorders (e.g., abetalipoproteinemia) or in cases of severe liver disease or malnutrition.
LDL-C measures cholesterol content—which can vary from particle to particle.
ApoB counts each atherogenic particle, giving a more accurate picture of risk.
In people with small, dense LDL particles, LDL-C may appear normal while ApoB is high—masking hidden cardiovascular risk.
Guidelines from the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and European Society of Cardiology (ESC) increasingly recommend ApoB for advanced risk assessment, especially in people with:
Diabetes
Obesity
Metabolic syndrome
Borderline cholesterol profiles
ApoB testing is useful for:
People at intermediate or high risk of cardiovascular disease
Those with normal LDL-C but a family history of heart disease
Patients with metabolic syndrome or diabetes
Anyone with persistently high triglycerides
Individuals undergoing cholesterol-lowering treatment to assess response beyond traditional markers
Lifestyle and medications that lower ApoB levels also reduce your cardiovascular risk:
Reduce saturated fat and trans fat intake
Increase soluble fiber (from oats, legumes, fruits)
Incorporate plant sterols and stanols
Exercise regularly (aerobic + resistance training)
Lose excess body weight
Limit refined carbohydrates and sugar
Statins (lower both LDL-C and ApoB)
Ezetimibe
PCSK9 inhibitors
Bempedoic acid
Niacin (less commonly used)
Fibrates (especially in high triglyceride cases)
Always discuss treatment options with your healthcare provider before making changes.
ApoB is a powerful biomarker for assessing cardiovascular risk.
It reflects the number of atherogenic lipoproteins, not just cholesterol levels.
Higher ApoB = more particles = greater atherosclerosis risk.
It’s especially useful for people with normal LDL-C but elevated risk due to metabolic or genetic factors.
ApoB can guide personalized prevention and treatment strategies.
| ApoB Level (mg/dL) | Classification |
|---|---|
| < 90 | Desirable |
| 90 – 99 | Borderline High |
| 100 – 130 | High |
| > 130 | Very High |
| ASCVD Risk Category | Recommended ApoB Target (mg/dL) |
|---|---|
| Extreme Risk | < 70 |
| Very High Risk | < 80 |
| High Risk | < 90 |
| Moderate Risk | < 90 |
Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) is a key structural protein found in all atherogenic lipoproteins—such as LDL, VLDL, IDL, and Lipoprotein(a)—which transport cholesterol and triglycerides through your bloodstream. Each of these particles contains exactly one ApoB molecule, making ApoB a direct count of the number of harmful lipoprotein particles in circulation.
Unlike traditional cholesterol tests that measure how much cholesterol is being carried, ApoB tells you how many particles are carrying it—which is more predictive of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events.
An elevated ApoB level means you have too many atherogenic lipoproteins in your blood. These particles are small enough to infiltrate the walls of your arteries, triggering inflammation, forming plaque, and increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular conditions.
Research consistently shows that ApoB is a stronger predictor of cardiovascular risk than LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), especially in people with:
Insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes
Obesity or metabolic syndrome
Normal LDL-C but high particle number
A family history of premature heart disease
| ApoB Level (mg/dL) | Classification |
|---|---|
| < 90 | Desirable |
| 90 – 99 | Borderline High |
| 100 – 130 | High |
| > 130 | Very High |
| ASCVD Risk Category | Recommended ApoB Target (mg/dL) |
|---|---|
| Extreme Risk | < 70 |
| Very High Risk | < 80 |
| High or Moderate Risk | < 90 |
ApoB can be elevated due to a combination of lifestyle, metabolic, genetic, and medical factors, including:
| Cause | How It Contributes |
|---|---|
| High intake of saturated fat and refined carbs | Increases VLDL and LDL production |
| Insulin resistance / Type 2 diabetes | Promotes small, dense LDL particles |
| Obesity or metabolic syndrome | Disrupts lipid metabolism |
| Familial hypercholesterolemia | Genetic defect in LDL clearance |
| Hypothyroidism | Slows LDL receptor activity |
| Chronic kidney disease | Alters lipid profiles |
| Sedentary lifestyle | Increases triglyceride-rich lipoproteins |
Some medical conditions and medications can temporarily or persistently increase ApoB levels:
| Secondary Cause | Mechanism |
|---|---|
| Diabetes | Increases production of atherogenic lipoproteins |
| Pregnancy | Temporarily elevates ApoB due to hormonal shifts |
| Nephrotic syndrome | Causes lipid abnormalities and high ApoB |
| Medications | Includes androgens, beta blockers, thiazide diuretics, and progestins |
| Hypothyroidism | Reduces clearance of ApoB-containing lipoproteins |
If you're pregnant or taking any of these medications, elevated ApoB may be temporary. Discuss with your healthcare provider for personalized assessment.
Elevated ApoB levels are directly linked to a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, including:
Coronary artery disease (CAD)
Heart attack (myocardial infarction)
Ischemic stroke
Peripheral artery disease
Atherosclerosis progression
Because ApoB reflects the actual number of atherogenic particles, it provides a clearer picture of risk even when cholesterol levels appear normal.
Making targeted lifestyle adjustments can significantly reduce ApoB:
Reduce saturated fat and dietary cholesterol
Limit red meat, full-fat dairy, processed snacks, and fried foods.
Increase fiber and whole plant foods
Focus on legumes, fruits, vegetables, oats, and nuts to improve lipid profiles.
Limit refined carbohydrates and sugars
These promote small, dense LDL particles and increase ApoB.
Engage in regular physical activity
Exercise improves lipid metabolism, lowers triglycerides, and reduces ApoB.
Lose excess body weight
Especially abdominal fat, which drives insulin resistance and lipoprotein overproduction.
Your healthcare provider may recommend medications based on your ApoB level and overall cardiovascular risk:
Statins – First-line treatment to reduce LDL particle number and ApoB
PCSK9 inhibitors – Powerful injectable therapies for high-risk patients
Ezetimibe – Reduces cholesterol absorption in the gut
Fibrates or niacin – May be used in specific cases, especially when triglycerides are elevated
Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or changing any treatment.
High ApoB = high number of artery-clogging particles.
It’s a powerful and reliable predictor of cardiovascular risk—more so than LDL-C alone.
Elevated ApoB is often modifiable through lifestyle changes and medical therapy.
If your ApoB is high, it’s a signal to take proactive steps toward improving your heart health.
Import lab results from multiple providers, track changes over time, customize your reference ranges, and get clear explanations for each result. Everything is stored securely, exportable in one organized file, and shareable with your doctor—or anyone you choose.
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Low ApoB levels are generally considered favorable and are associated with a lower risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. However, very low or abnormally decreased ApoB levels may sometimes indicate underlying health conditions or genetic disorders.
| Cause | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Effective lipid-lowering therapy | Medications like statins, PCSK9 inhibitors, or lifestyle interventions can significantly reduce ApoB levels—this is typically intentional and beneficial. |
| Malnutrition or severe weight loss | Inadequate intake of fats and calories can reduce lipoprotein synthesis. |
| Liver dysfunction | The liver produces ApoB-containing lipoproteins. Advanced liver disease (e.g., cirrhosis, hepatitis) may impair this process. |
| Hypobetalipoproteinemia | A rare genetic disorder in which the body produces abnormally low levels of ApoB, leading to extremely low LDL and total cholesterol. |
| Abetalipoproteinemia | A very rare inherited condition where ApoB production is almost completely absent, causing fat malabsorption and neurological problems. |
| Hyperthyroidism | Overactive thyroid function can reduce ApoB levels due to increased clearance of lipoproteins. |
Mildly low ApoB in the context of heart-healthy efforts (diet, exercise, medications) is not a concern and usually indicates good cardiovascular health.
Extremely low ApoB (< 40 mg/dL), especially when not due to treatment, may warrant further investigation for malabsorption, liver disease, or rare genetic disorders.
Low ApoB is usually good, especially if achieved through lifestyle or treatment.
Exceptionally low levels, particularly with symptoms like fatigue, neurological changes, or digestive issues, may require clinical follow-up.
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About membership
Import Lab Results from Any Source
Easily upload lab results from any provider, whether it's a hospital, independent lab, or home testing service. We support PDFs, scanned documents, and JPEGs from patient portals. No need to log in to multiple platforms — everything is centralized in one secure space.
Easily upload lab results from any provider — we support PDFs, scans, and images. Keep all your reports organized in one secure place.
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Every lab result is automatically organized on a chronological timeline, giving you a complete picture of your health journey. Whether you're tracking a condition, managing treatments, or staying proactive, the timeline helps you and your doctor understand how things progress over time.
Every lab result is automatically organized on a chronological timeline, giving you a complete picture of your health journey.
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Whether it's a blood test, GI panel, urinalysis, or something else, lab reports measure numerous biomarkers that reveal what's happening inside your body. Our extensive database covers over 10,000 biomarkers, providing clear, simple explanations of what each result means and how you can take action—no matter your membership level. Say goodbye to confusion and get the insights you need to better understand your health.
Our database covers over 10,000 biomarkers with clear, simple explanations—so you can finally understand your results and what to do next.
Enter Your Lab Reports Yourself — Always Free
Enter Your Lab Reports — Always Free
If you'd like to handle inputting your health data into your account, you can do so with our easy-to-use data entry forms. Our user-friendly form is designed to guide you through the quick and easy submission process, making it simple to keep track of your health metrics. This is available to both Complete plan and Unlimited plan members.
Our user-friendly form guides you through a quick, simple submission process, making it easy to enter your health metrics.
Add your results anytime with our easy entry form. It's quick, guided, and helps you stay organized — free for all members.
Visualize Your Results
View your lab data through easy-to-read graphs and tables. Quickly spot patterns, track changes, and compare results across different dates — all without digging through multiple reports. You can also select and compare graphs of specific biomarkers side-by-side to better understand how they relate and change over time.
See your lab reports in clear graphs and tables. Spot patterns, track changes, and compare results over time — all in one place.
Export Your Complete Lab History in a Single File
Export Your Complete Lab History
After collecting lab results from different providers, you can download your entire history combined into a single file. Choose from PDF, Excel, or CSV formats to easily review, share, or get a second opinion—no more juggling multiple reports.
After collecting lab results from different providers, you can download your entire history combined into a single file.
Comprehensive Data Entry Service for Your Reports
Data Entry Service for Your Reports
Our inclusive service handles the data entry for your lab reports. Just submit your information and we'll take care of the rest. Complete plan members receive one report entered for free, then $15 per report after that. Unlimited plan members receive ten report entries for free, then $15 per report after that.
Our inclusive service handles the data entry for your lab reports. Just submit your information and we'll take care of the rest.
Securely Share With Anyone You Trust
Whether you're working with a doctor, nutritionist, caregiver, or wellness coach, you can securely share your complete lab history by sending an invite link to anyone you trust. You have full control over who sees your information and for how long, ensuring your privacy and peace of mind at every step.
Share your full lab history with your doctor, nutritionist, or coach using a secure invite link.
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I have been using Healthmatters.io since 2021. I travel all over the world and use different doctors and health facilities. This site has allowed me to consolidate all my various test results over 14 years in one place. And every doctor that I show this to has been impressed. Because with any health professional I talk to, I can pull up historical results in seconds. It is invaluable. Even going back to the same doctor, they usually do not have the historical results from their facility in a graph format. That has been very helpful.
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What fantastic service and great, easy-to-follow layouts! I love your website; it makes it so helpful to see patterns in my health data. It's truly a pleasure to use. I only wish the NHS was as organized and quick as Healthmatters.io. You've set a new standard for health tracking!
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As a PRO member and medical practitioner, Healthmatters.io has been an invaluable tool for tracking my clients' data. The layout is intuitive, making it easy to monitor trends and spot patterns over time. The ability to customize reports and charts helps me present information clearly to my clients, improving communication and outcomes. It's streamlined my workflow, saving me time and providing insights at a glance. Highly recommended for any practitioner looking for a comprehensive and user-friendly solution to track patient labs!
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Healthmatters is a personal health dashboard that helps you organize and understand your lab results. It collects and displays your medical test data from any lab in one secure, easy-to-use platform.
With a Healthmatters account, you can:
Professionals can also analyze client data more efficiently and save time managing lab reports.
Healthmatters.io personal account provides in-depth research on 4000+ biomarkers, including information and suggestions for test panels such as, but not limited to:
You can combine all test reports inside your Healthmatters account and keep them in one place. It gives you an excellent overview of all your health data. Once you retest, you can add new results and compare them.
If you are still determining whether Healthmatters support your lab results, the rule is that if you can test it, you can upload it to Healthmatters.
While we work with many popular labs, we welcome reports from lots of other places too.
It's as simple as this: if you can get a test done, you can upload it to Healthmatters and we can interpret results from any lab out there. If laboratories can analyze it, we can interpret it.
If you're on the hunt for a specific biomarker, contact us and we'll add it to our database. Anything from blood, urine, saliva, or stool can be uploaded, understood, and tracked with your Healthmatters account.
The Complete Plan ($15/month) is perfect for individuals who want ongoing access to their health data. It includes unlimited lab imports, visual tracking, custom ranges, result explanations, full account exports, and secure sharing — all with a simple monthly subscription. You can cancel anytime and restart your plan whenever you're ready — your data will still be there waiting for you. You can also upgrade to the Unlimited Plan at any time, with the cost prorated based on what you've already paid.
The Unlimited Plan ($250 one-time) is also designed for individuals but offers lifetime access with no ongoing subscription. You'll get all the same features as the Complete Plan, plus a larger initial data entry allowance (10 reports), making it a great choice if you prefer a one-time payment and long-term use without monthly fees.
In short:
There are two ways to add your test reports to your Healthmatters account. One option is to input the data using the data entry forms. The other method is to utilize our "Data entry service."
Our data entry forms offer an easy, fast, and free way for you to input the reports yourself. Self-entry allows you to add an unlimited number of reports at no cost. We make the self-entry process user-friendly, providing dozens of templates that pre-populate the most popular laboratory panels and offering instant feedback on entered values.
For those who prefer assistance, we offer a "Data entry service" to help you input your data. Simply attach an image or file of your lab test results, and a qualified team member from our data entry team will add the results for you.
We support various file types, including PDFs, JPGs, or Excel. This service is particularly useful if you have many reports to upload or if you're too busy to handle the data entry yourself.
Our Data Entry Service is for when you don't want to manually type in your lab results yourself. You simply upload your report (PDF, image, or screenshot), and our trained team enters the information into your Healthmatters account for you — accurately and neatly organized, ready to view in graphs, tables, and timelines.
The $15 per report covers the time and care it takes for a real person to review your file, make sure each result is entered correctly, and double-check for accuracy. This ensures your health data is precise and easy to work with — without you having to spend the time doing it yourself.
Prefer to do it yourself? You can always use our free self-entry tool to add results manually — it just takes a bit more time and attention.
For users on the Complete monthly plan, the first report is entered free of charge, and each additional report incurs a fee of $15.
Unlimited account holders enjoy the entry of ten reports without charge. Subsequent reports are subject to a $15 fee per report.
Additionally, users on the Complete plan can upgrade to a yearly subscription from the account settings. The annual subscription includes a data entry service for five reports.
All professional accounts allow you to import and onboard an unlimited number of clients and their lab results. The distinction between professional plans lies solely in the data entry service.
The Pro Monthly Plus plan is priced at $75 per month and includes a data entry service for five reports each month. Additional reports can be self-entered at no extra cost or, if preferred, you can use our data entry service for an additional fee of $15 per report.
The Pro Monthly plan is priced at $45 per month and does not include a data entry service. Self-entry is free for an unlimited number of reports, and you can opt for the data entry service at a fee of $15 per report.
You also have the option to upgrade to higher monthly or to annual plans, which come with substantial discounts. All upgrades can be done directly from your account.
Simply log in and navigate to your account settings to cancel your subscription. Scroll down to locate the 'Cancel' button at the bottom of the page. Ensure you cancel at least one day before the renewal date to prevent any charges. Once cancellation is requested, the subscription remains active until the conclusion of the current billing cycle.
Our goal has been to make your Healthmatters account as intuitive as possible.
We've crafted multiple ways for you to navigate your data, whether you're glancing at a single report or delving into your historical test reports.
1. Graph View:Dive into a visual journey with our biomarker graphs, showcasing over 40 data points. Combining years of results unveils trends, empowering you to make informed decisions. Our visualization tools make it a breeze to compare and understand changes over time, even if your results are from different labs. A search function and filters simplify the exploration of extensive data, allowing you to focus on what needs attention.
2. All Tests ViewExplore neatly organized reports on a timeline, highlighting crucial details like dates, critical results, and lab/panel names. Each report opens up to reveal in-depth descriptions and additional recommendations for each biomarker. The history of previous results is just a click away, and you can download a comprehensive report for deeper insights. Color-coded and user-friendly, it's designed for easy reading, understanding, and navigation.
3. Table View:For a holistic view of all biomarkers side by side, our table view is your go-to. Results are neatly displayed in a categorized and dated table, ideal for those with an extensive test history. Utilize sorting, filters, and color-coding to enhance your analysis and gain extra insights.
Yes, you can download your information anytime. We offer two easy ways to export your lab data:
This makes it simple to save, back up, or share your health data whenever you need.
Yes, you can print your report. To do so, navigate to "All tests" and open the report you wish to print. You'll find a print button in the right corner of the report. Click on it, and your browser's print window will open. If you prefer to print in a bigger typeface, adjust the scale using the print window settings.
Yes, you can! We highly recommend activating Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for your account. To do so, please navigate to the "Profile and Security" section of your account, where you will find instructions for activating 2FA.
Yes, you can. When entering values for the biomarker, you will see an "Edit Range" button. Click this button, and you'll have the option to enter a custom range.
A personal account is all about keeping your own lab test results in check. It's just for you and your personal use.
The professional account is designed for health professionals who wish to track and organize their clients' laboratory results.
To learn more about Healthmatters Pro, please refer to the professional page.
At HealthMatters, we're committed to maintaining the security and confidentiality of your personal information. We've put industry-leading security standards in place to help protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of the information under our control. We use procedural, physical, and electronic security methods designed to prevent unauthorized people from getting access to this information. Our internal code of conduct adds additional privacy protection. All data is backed up multiple times a day and encrypted using SSL certificates. See our Privacy Policy for more details.
