Normal range: 0 – 90 mg/dL (lower is better)
ApoB measures the total number of atherogenic (artery-damaging) particles in your blood. Each LDL, VLDL, and IDL particle carries exactly one ApoB molecule, making it a direct particle count. This is important because it is the number of particles, not just the amount of cholesterol they carry, that drives plaque buildup. About 15-20% of people have elevated ApoB with normal LDL cholesterol, which is why ApoB catches risk that a standard cholesterol panel misses. The 2026 AHA/ACC guidelines now include ApoB targets alongside LDL.
A normal ApoB is 0 – 90 mg/dL. Lower is better.
A diet high in saturated fat and refined carbohydrates is the most common driver of elevated ApoB. Genetic conditions like familial hypercholesterolemia can cause very high levels even with a healthy diet. Insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome also raise ApoB by increasing VLDL production.
Hypothyroidism slows LDL clearance from the blood, raising particle count. Certain medications (including some diuretics, beta-blockers, and anabolic steroids) can elevate ApoB as well.
Lifestyle changes are the first-line approach: reducing saturated fat, increasing soluble fiber (oats, beans, psyllium), exercising regularly, and losing excess weight can all lower ApoB. When lifestyle is not enough, statins are the most effective medication, followed by ezetimibe and PCSK9 inhibitors. Unlike standard LDL cholesterol, ApoB gives you a clearer target to track your response to treatment.
ApoB is most highly correlated with Non-HDL Cholesterol and LDL Cholesterol. Here are the top biomarkers correlated with ApoB, based on 500,000 tests done by Empirical Health.
The percentage shows how strongly two biomarkers move together. A higher number means the relationship is stronger. Green = rises and falls together. Orange = one rises as the other falls.
You can test your ApoB for $190 as part of Empirical's comprehensive health panel, which includes 100 biomarkers.
You can measure your ApoB for at 2,200+ testing locations across the US. Click below and enter your zip code to browse locations near you.
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