Read the primary source rather than the write-up and the two do not agree, so here is what is actually in it.
ApoB is the more informative number and it is cheap. LDL-C estimates cholesterol mass in atherogenic particles; ApoB counts the particles, and it is particle count that tracks risk — which is why the two can disagree and why the disagreement is the clinically interesting case. Triglycerides fall substantially with weight loss and improved insulin sensitivity, HDL moves modestly, and LDL-C often barely moves at all, which surprises people who expected everything to improve together.
Where I think it is weakest: the comparator does most of the work in how this gets reported, and it is not the comparator most people think they are citing.
What I am after is whether an unchanged LDL-C alongside a large triglyceride fall is a good result or a bad one, because ApoB and LDL-C seem to be telling different stories. Practical detail welcome, however dull — the duller the better.
Figures above are from the primary publication rather than the press summary. If a number here disagrees with one you have, post yours and we will work out which of us is reading a secondary source.
nancy_portland said:ApoB is the more informative number and it is cheap.
Before/after bloodwork compilation for the lipid panel — everything in one place for those who want comprehensive data:
| Category | Marker | Before | After 13mo | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metabolic | A1C | 8.4% | 5.5% | ⬇️ 1.6% |
| Metabolic | Fasting Glucose | 132 | 90 | ⬇️ 37 |
| Lipids | LDL | 175 | 104 | ⬇️ 57 |
| Lipids | Triglycerides | 277 | 122 | ⬇️ 127 |
| Inflammation | hsCRP | 6.5 | 1.0 | ⬇️ 4.0 |
Every single metabolic marker improved. This is why I'm a believer in this therapy.
nancy_portland said:ApoB is the more informative number and it is cheap.
Careful with treating an unchanged LDL-C as a failure. If ApoB and triglycerides both fell, the particle picture improved regardless of what the calculated LDL says.
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Shop Reference StandardsDr.CardioMD said:Careful with treating an unchanged LDL-C as a failure.
Omega-3 index improvement on the lipid panel: often overlooked but my omega-3 index went from 3.8% to 8.8% over 9 months. I supplemented with 2g EPA+DHA daily.
This matters because omega-3s are anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective, complementing the GLP-1 benefits. Target omega-3 index is >8%. Combined with the triglyceride reduction from the medication, my lipid profile is the best it's been in decades.
DataDave said:Before/after bloodwork compilation for the lipid panel — everything in one place for those who want comprehensive data: Category Marker Before After…
Adding a me-too, because a thread of one person's experience is not much use. Nothing to add that would improve it.