Apolipoprotein E (APOE)

Optimal Result: 2.7 - 4.3 mg/dL.

Apolipoprotein E (APOE): Understanding Your Lab Results

What is Apolipoprotein E (APOE)?

Apolipoprotein E (APOE) is a protein that plays a crucial role in the metabolism of fats (lipids) in the body. It is primarily involved in transporting cholesterol and other lipids through the bloodstream to be used, stored, or eliminated. APOE is a key component of lipoproteins, which are molecules that carry cholesterol and fats to and from cells.

APOE is also known for its genetic variations, which can influence cholesterol levels, cardiovascular health, and even neurological function. However, in lab tests, the focus is usually on APOE levels in the blood, which may indicate how effectively the body manages lipid metabolism.

Why is Apolipoprotein E (APOE) Tested?

An APOE test is typically ordered to evaluate lipid metabolism and assess the risk of:

  • Cardiovascular Disease: APOE abnormalities can contribute to high cholesterol levels, atherosclerosis, and heart disease.
  • Dyslipidemia: Imbalances in cholesterol and lipids, often due to genetic factors, can influence APOE levels.
  • Neurodegenerative Conditions: While not part of standard blood tests, certain APOE genetic variants (like APOE4) are linked to Alzheimer's disease.

Who Needs This Test?

Your healthcare provider may order an APOE test if you have:

  • Abnormal cholesterol levels (e.g., high LDL or low HDL cholesterol)
  • A family history of cardiovascular disease or dyslipidemia
  • Symptoms of lipid-related conditions

The reference range for APOE levels is often 2.7–4.3 mg/dL, but this can vary by lab.

Summary

Apolipoprotein E (APOE) is a critical protein for cholesterol and fat transport in your body. If you've received an APOE result on your lab report, it may relate to your lipid metabolism and cardiovascular health. Discuss your results with a healthcare provider to understand their implications and develop a plan to improve or maintain your lipid balance.

By addressing APOE levels through lifestyle changes and medical guidance, you can reduce risks and support long-term heart health.

What does it mean if your Apolipoprotein E (APOE) result is too high?

Higher APOE levels may indicate increased lipid transport activity, often seen with conditions like:

  • Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol or triglycerides)
  • Inflammatory conditions
  • Liver disorders

How to Improve APOE Levels

Improving APOE levels focuses on managing overall lipid health. Steps may include:

  1. Dietary Changes: Reduce saturated fats and trans fats while increasing healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids.
  2. Exercise: Regular physical activity can improve cholesterol balance and lipid metabolism.
  3. Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight supports lipid health and APOE function.
  4. Medication: If needed, lipid-lowering medications (e.g., statins) may be prescribed to optimize cholesterol levels.

What does it mean if your Apolipoprotein E (APOE) result is too low?

Lower APOE levels can reflect reduced ability to transport cholesterol and fats, which may occur with:

  • Genetic APOE deficiencies
  • Malnutrition
  • Liver dysfunction

How to Improve APOE Levels

Improving APOE levels focuses on managing overall lipid health. Steps may include:

  1. Dietary Changes: Reduce saturated fats and trans fats while increasing healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids.
  2. Exercise: Regular physical activity can improve cholesterol balance and lipid metabolism.
  3. Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight supports lipid health and APOE function.
  4. Medication: If needed, lipid-lowering medications (e.g., statins) may be prescribed to optimize cholesterol levels.

Frequently asked questions

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Instead of searching for your lab results in different places or tracking them down from different providers, Healthmatters houses, organizes, and interprets them all in one central location.

With a Healthmatters account, you can dive into the details of each biomarker and gain insights into the meaning behind your medical test data, anytime, anywhere.

For our professional users, Healthmatters provides intuitive tools that not only streamline analysis but also save valuable time when delving into your client's lab report history.

Healthmatters.io personal account provides in-depth research on 4000+ biomarkers, including information and suggestions for test panels such as, but not limited to:

  • The GI Effects® Comprehensive Stool Profile,
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  • Amino Acids Profile,
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  • Urinalysis,
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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.

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 special data entry service makes it easy to add your results to your private dashboard. Just attach an image or a file of your lab test results, and our skilled data entry team will do the work for you. It's all done by humans, ensuring that your data is entered accurately and with personal care for each client.

Depending on your account, the data entry service can be included for free or come at an additional cost of $15 per report.

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.

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Additionally, you can upgrade to the yearly Advanced plan from within your account. The annual cost is $79, and it comes with a data entry service for five reports.

You can always upgrade to a lifetime version with a prorated price from a monthly or yearly subscription.

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 View

Explore 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 information from your account. We can compile your labs into a CSV file. To download all your labs, you can go to Account Settings, and at the bottom of the page, you will find a link to download your information.

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.

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