At a Glance Why Get Tested? When to Get Tested? When you have
hyperlipidemia and/or a family history of CVD; when your doctor
is trying to assess your risk of developing heart disease; when
monitoring the effectiveness of lipid treatment and/or lifestyle
changes A blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm; blood from
the prick of a baby's heel or finger Test Preparation Needed?
None; however, this test is often ordered at the same time as
other tests that require fasting, so you may be instructed to
fast for 12 hours prior to having this test. The Test Sample
What is being tested? This test measures the amount of
apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I) in the blood. Apolipoproteins are
the protein component of lipoproteins, complexes that transport
lipids throughout the bloodstream. Apolipoproteins provide
structural integrity to lipoproteins and shield the water-
repellent (hydrophobic) lipids at their center. Most
lipoproteins are cholesterol- or triglyceride-rich and carry
lipids throughout the body, for uptake by ce