Stop Counting Cholesterol.
Start Counting Particles.
Your standard lipid panel is guessing your risk. ApoB measures it directly. Here is the definitive guide to the "Ghost Particle."
The "LDL Lie"
Imagine trying to measure traffic by weighing the cars. It wouldn't work. A bus weighs the same as 50 motorcycles, but 50 motorcycles create a traffic jam.
Standard LDL-C measures the weight (concentration).
ApoB measures the traffic (particle count).
Clinical Fact
"Discordance occurs in up to 30% of patients. You can have 'Normal' LDL-C but dangerously high ApoB."
The Highway Analogy
Why particle count causes crashes (plaque), not cargo.
High Cargo, Low Traffic
You have cholesterol (cargo), but it is carried in a few large, fluffy vehicles. The road is clear. These particles rarely crash into the artery wall.
Same Cargo, Traffic Jam
You have the exact same amount of cholesterol, but it is carried in hundreds of small, dense motorcycles. They crash into the artery wall constantly.
Interpreting Your Score
| Risk Zone | ApoB Range | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Optimal | < 60 mg/dL | Physiological normal (Newborn level). Plaque rarely accumulates here. |
| Moderate Risk | 80 - 100 mg/dL | Average American. Plaque accumulates slowly over decades. |
| High Risk | > 110 mg/dL | Accelerated atherosclerosis. High probability of discordance. |
| Extreme Risk | > 130 mg/dL | Immediate intervention typically recommended. |
Reference: Allan Sniderman, MD / European Society of Cardiology Guidelines
How do I lower it?
ApoB is driven primarily by Saturated Fat intake (which reduces liver clearance) and processed carbohydrates.