HDL return transport
Biomarker library
Heart Health
Apolipoprotein A-I
Apolipoprotein A-I is the main protein of HDL particles: the scaffold that lets HDL pick up spare cholesterol from your cells.
Measured in your health assessment, with a doctor to explain your result. Book yours
Why it matters
It switches on the cell machinery that pumps cholesterol out, including from the cholesterol-filled cells in artery walls, ready for the journey back to the liver. Its level closely tracks how many HDL particles you have.
What a result can mean
Lower than the range
Low levels go with low HDL and are linked with insulin resistance, smoking, inactivity and higher cardiovascular risk. Rare inherited conditions cause very low levels.
Higher than the range
Higher levels usually reflect regular exercise, a healthy weight or your genes, and in large studies are linked with lower cardiovascular risk. Oestrogen raises it too.
What can help
Regular aerobic activity, losing excess weight and not smoking support healthy levels. It is mainly used with ApoB to judge the balance of particles rather than being treated directly.
Read it with
NoteGeneral educational illustration. Colours, sizes and movement are simplified. This is not a scan or a simulation of your body. General information, not personal medical advice: a doctor reads your own results with your history.
Know your Apolipoprotein A-I.
Measured in your health assessment and explained by the doctor who reviews your results.