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Apolipoprotein E Test

What is Apolipoprotein E Test?

An Apolipoprotein-E test is often carried out to check and see if certain genes are causing changes in your current cholesterol and triglyceride levels. This test is often essential to determine the state of your health with regard to heart disease as well as to check for susceptibility for Alzheimer’s disease. If you have a family history of Alzheimer’s, or rather your loved ones have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, then you need to check in with your doctor right away and get yourself tested. Since Alzheimer’s disease is supposed to be genetic and hereditary, it makes sense for you to get yourself tested at the earliest.

Preparation for Apolipoprotein E Test

The APOE test is often used to determine your susceptibility to Alzheimer’s as well as to review your current state of cardiovascular health. This is why you need to consult with your physician right away; he would first review your medical history including that of your family, and then order for an APOE test to be carried out at the earliest to determine if you are susceptible to Alzheimer’s disease. The APOE test should also provide a complete picture of your cardio health, especially to check and see which genes are currently affecting your cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Uses of Apolipoprotein E Test

This test is often carried out as part of an initial screening test to check for your susceptibility to Alzheimer’s disease. This test is equally important in determining if you have any underlying cardiovascular issues. This is why it is important that you get yourself tested out at the earliest, so that with early diagnosis, you can safeguard your health.

Procedure for Apolipoprotein E Test

The process is simple enough; your doctor would carry out a venipuncture, and collect a small sample of your blood in a sterile container. Your doctor may request you to be under a diet restriction depending on which genes are to be tested. You need to ensure that you follow your physician’s recommendations to the letter. The collected sample is then tagged and processed at the laboratory; here it will undergo full sequencing to study and analyze the impact of certain genes on your current cholesterol, triglyceride levels as well as determine if you are susceptible to Alzheimer’s, dementia, depression and other forms of degenerative diseases. The results should become available within a few days, post which your doctor would devise an effective course of treatment to help treat your current condition.

Normal values for Apolipoprotein E Test

Type	Gender	Age-Group	Value
Apolipoprotein E	Unisex	All age groups	3 - 7 mg/dl

Table of Content

What is Apolipoprotein E Test?

Preparation for Apolipoprotein E Test

Uses of Apolipoprotein E Test

Procedure for Apolipoprotein E Test

Normal values for Apolipoprotein E Test

I am 52 years , RETIRED, 88 kgs, 175 cms, total cholesterol is 200, triglycerides only 98, Also, thyroid functions, liver, pancreas, kidney, Homocysteine, and high sensitive C reactive protein, apolipoprotein A1 &B -- ALL ARE NORMAL ! I am not diabetic ! But my BP is around 145/95 whenever I check ! Kindly advise suitable medication for my BP ! THANKS DOCTOR.

Dr. Amol Bamane

BAMS, MD Ayurveda

Sexologist, Navi Mumbai

I am 52 years , RETIRED, 88 kgs, 175 cms, total cholesterol is 200, triglycerides only 98, Also, thyroid functions, l...

The following remedy would help you 1. Take 1 tsp of dried watermelon seeds 2. Add 1 tsp of cuscus powder 3. Crush the mixture 4. Have this once in the morning and the evening 5. Consume for 3-4 weeks Causes: • Obesity • High salt intake • Alcohol consumption • Mental or physical stress surely you will get results.

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I am 52 years , 88 kgs, 175 cms, total cholesterol is 200, triglycerides only 98, Also, thyroid functions, liver, pancreas, kidney, Homocysteine, and high sensitive C reactive protein, apolipoprotein A1 &B -- ALL ARE NORMAL ! I am not diabetic ! But my BP is around 145/95 whenever I check ! Kindly advise suitable medication for my BP ! THANKS.

Dr. Laxman G .Jonwal

MD - Medicine, Bachelor of Ayurveda, Medicine and Surgery (BAMS), Post Graduate Certficate in Ksharsutra & Ano-Rectal Diseases

Ayurveda, Mumbai

I am 52 years , 88 kgs, 175 cms,
total cholesterol is 200, triglycerides only 98, Also, thyroid functions, liver, pan...

Dear lybrate-user, cause of your high bp is obesity & accumulation of fat in inner layer of blood vessels. Your bmi is around 29.5 which is alarming for high bp person. At the same time we have rule out psycho-somatic causes like anxiety, stress, tension, insomnia.

2 people found this helpful

I have taken up a preventive test and few items are inbred, please help interpret the report Cardiac Risk Makers:- apolipoprotein -A1 (APO-A1)-97mg/DL apolipoprotein -B (APO-A1)-97mg/DL High Sensitivity C Reactive Protein (hs-CRP)- 8.81mg/L APO B/APO A1 Ratio: 1 Liver apart amino transferase (SGOT)-38.5U/l Alanine Transaminase (SGPT)-52.7U/l Please note I have diabetes 2 and its avg of 140 I am on no medication from past 1 year.

Dr. Neelam Nath

Diploma in Obstetrics & Gynaecology, MBBS

General Physician, Delhi

I have taken up a preventive test and few items are inbred, please help interpret the report
Cardiac Risk Makers:-
ap...

Liver enzymes are normal, c reactive protein is high -it can be due to infection/inflammation anywhere in the body, need not be due to heart or only due to heart in absence of specific symptoms of other organs, apo-1 is normal it is a fat+protein combo in blood that is water soluble and keeps circulating in the blood, in a way it reflects the good cholesterol which should be at a higher level to prevent blockages in the blood vessels, apo-b is very high -means it is a precursor of bad cholesterol in the blood that is responsible for blockages and plaque formation. Your dm-2 is under control with medication. You have to bring down apo-b by cutting down bad fats like transfats, oily food, etc which I am sure you are doing to control your dm. By increasing good cholesterol precursors like apo-1 & other apos except b (remember b for bad) your chances of getting bad fats on higher levels will get reduced. Take water with a spoon of honey (allowed for dm) with juice of a lemon every morning on empty stomach -it does burn bad fats, eat a spoon of good fats like desighee/ butter + a katori of assorted nuts every day (allowed for dm) cut down extra carbs in place of good calories gained.

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Popular Health Tips

Causes And Symptoms Of Growth Hormone Deficiency!

Dr. Sunil Malla Bujar Barua

MCH, MS- Surgery, MBBS

Endocrinologist, Guwahati

Causes And Symptoms Of Growth Hormone Deficiency!

The body produces a number of chemicals called hormones which are essential for the regulation of various functions including growth and metabolism. These hormones are produced by endocrine glands which are located in various parts of the body. One such important gland is the pituitary gland which produces the important growth hormone. This is essential for regulating optimal growth during the growing years and for maintaining proper amounts of body fat, muscles, and bones in the later years of life.

Causes: Deficiency of the growth hormones can occur due to a number of causes, some of which are listed below. It can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired later in life.
The congenital issue could be due to problem in the pituitary gland structure, leading to complete absence or reduced secretion of the hormone.
With age, there is a decrease in the amount of secretion. However, infections, injuries, brain tumors, surgery and radiation can also lead to altered amounts of secretion.

Symptoms: While growth hormone deficiency can occur at any age, symptoms differ depending on the age when the deficiency sets in.
In the early ages:

Lower rate of growth for a given age
Delayed developmental milestones
Delayed onset of puberty
Short stature/reduced height
Younger looking compared to other children their age
Fat deposition around the waist
Delayed dental development

When the deficiency sets in during the later years, there is

Low energy levels, constant tiredness

Decreased strength
Decreased exercise tolerance
Decreased overall muscle mass
Thin and dry skin
Increased fat deposition and weight gain around the waist
Changes in social behavior including alternate cycles of anxiety and depression
Lack of motivation
History of pituitary tumors
High levels of fat and cholesterol

The diagnosis depends on the age of the person

Blood tests are carried out to check the hormone levels in circulation
In children, in addition to the hormone levels, x-rays to see the status of growth plates is very helpful.
An insulin hypoglycemia test where insulin is given intravenously to see the levels of the growth hormone after 30 minutes.
Total cholesterol levels, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and triglyceride levels can be used to supplement the above tests.
CT scan and/or MRI of the brain may be needed if tumors are suspected.

Treatment: Once diagnosed, replacement therapy is given as shots a few times a week under the skin. This restores normal growth and helps in controlling the symptoms in adults too.
In cases of tumor, radiation or surgery may be required, but most cases are managed with hormone replacement.
Watch out for the symptoms if your child has delayed developmental milestones and early intervention can help restore growth and function to normal levels. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult an Endocrinologist.

3127 people found this helpful

Growth Hormone Deficiency - How Best to Treat it?

Dr. K Sridhar

MBBS & Post Graduate Course in Diabetology, Fellow of Academy of General Education (FAGE), CCEBDM, Certificate course in management of Thyroid disorders-CCMTD, RSSDI life member

Diabetologist, Bangalore

Growth Hormone Deficiency - How Best to Treat it?

Symptoms: While growth hormone deficiency can occur at any age, symptoms differ depending on the age when the deficiency sets in.
In the early ages:

Lower rate of growth for a given age
Delayed developmental milestones
Delayed onset of puberty
Short stature/reduced height
Younger looking compared to other children their age
Fat deposition around the waist
Delayed dental development

When the deficiency sets in during the later years, there is

Low energy levels, constant tiredness
Decreased strength
Decreased exercise tolerance
Decreased overall muscle mass
Thin and dry skin
Increased fat deposition and weight gain around the waist
Changes in social behavior including alternate cycles of anxiety and depression
Lack of motivation
History of pituitary tumors
High levels of fat and cholesterol

The diagnosis depends on the age of the person

Blood tests are carried out to check the hormone levels in circulation
In children, in addition to the hormone levels, x-rays to see the status of growth plates is very helpful.
An insulin hypoglycemia test where insulin is given intravenously to see the levels of the growth hormone after 30 minutes.
Total cholesterol levels, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and triglyceride levels can be used to supplement the above tests.
CT scan and/or MRI of the brain may be needed if tumors are suspected.

If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult the doctor and ask a free question.

2848 people found this helpful

Tips on family history of high cholesterol

Dr. Sajeev Kumar

C.S.C, D.C.H, M.B.B.S

General Physician, Alappuzha

Premature heart disease is when heart disease occurs before 55 years in men and 65 years in women. In premature heart disease, the prevalence of dyslipidemia (high cholesterol levels without symptoms) is 75-85%.

Fifty-four percent of all patients with premature heart disease and 70% of those with a lipid abnormality have a familial disorder. Hence, a screening test for lipids is recommended for first-degree relatives of patients with myocardial infarction, particularly if premature. Screening should begin with a standard lipid profile and if normal, further testing should be done for lp (a) and apolipoproteins b and a-i.

About 25% patients with premature heart disease and a normal standard lipid profile will have an abnormality in lp (a) or apo b. Elevated apo a-1 and hdl are likewise associated with reduced chd risk.

First-degree relatives are brothers, sisters, father, mother; second-degree relatives refer to aunts, uncles, grandparents, nieces, or nephews and third-degree relatives refer to first cousins, siblings, or siblings of grandparents.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (fh) is a genetic disorder, characterized by high cholesterol, specifically very high ldl (" bad cholesterol") levels and premature heart disease. Patients may develop premature cardiovascular disease at the age of 30 to 40. Heterozygous fh is a common genetic disorder, occurring in 1: 500 people in most countries. Homozygous fh is much rarer, occurring in 1 in a million births. Heterozygous fh is normally treated with drugs. Homozygous fh often does not respond to medical therapy and may require apheresis or liver transplant.

To detect familial high cholesterol levels, a universal screening must be done at age 16. The cholesterol levels in heterozygous patients are between 350 to 500 mg/dl, and in homozygous, the levels are between 700 to 1, 200 mg/dl.

13 people found this helpful

Dr. I. P. S. Kochar

MAMC, MRCPCH, MD - Paediatrics, MBBS

Pediatrician, Noida

When to Seek Medical Care

If there is a question of growth hormone deficiency in either a child or an adult, consultation with a pediatric or adult endocrinologist, as appropriate, is recommended. The endocrinologist may order an insulin hypoglycemia test wihich is the gold standard for determining HGH deficiency.

insulin (hormone that regulates blood sugar levels) is given through an IV to produce a low plasma glucose (a sugar) level. The peak growth hormone level is measured 20-30 minutes later.
If the peak growth hormone level is less than 10 mcg/mL in children or less than 3 mcg/mL in adults, growth hormone deficiency is diagnosed.
Persons with growth hormone deficiency may have increased total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and triglyceride levels.

Other tests that may be performed include a CT scan and/or MRI of the brain and/or bones. Images from these tests may reveal tumors. Reduced bone density can be evaluated by a DEXA or bone density scan.

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