Cholesterol

Test Code

CHOL

Alias/See Also

Epic: LAB60

Preferred Specimen

Specimen Type: Serum
Collection Container: Serum gel
Specimen Volume: 3 mL

Minimum Volume

0.25 mL

Instructions

Centrifuge and separate cells after clot formation and within 4 hours of collection

Transport Container

Plastic vial

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 7 days
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 3 months

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Unlabeled, mislabeled, wrong tube type, QNS, wrong preservative, exceeds specimen stability requirements.

Methodology

Enzymatic

Setup Schedule

Daily

Report Available

Same day

Limitations

Bilirubin may decrease result by 12%. Hemolysis may decrease result by 12%. Intralipid shows no effect.

Reference Range

0-18 year	<170 mg/dL REF: American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Nutrition. Cholesterol in Childhood.
18-150 years	<200 mg/dL REF: National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert panel.

Clinical Significance

Measurement of serum cholesterol levels can serve as an indicator of liver function, biliary function, intestinal absorption, propensity toward coronary artery disease, and thyroid function. Levels aid the diagnosis and classification of hyperlipoproteinemias.
The Adult Treatment Panel of the National Cholesterol Education
Program (NCEP) recommends that all adults 20 years of age and
over should have a fasting lipoprotein profile (total cholesterol, LDL
cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglyceride) once every five years to screen for coronary heart disease risk.

Performing Laboratory
Inova Laboratories
2832 Juniper Street
Fairfax, VA 22031

Last Updated: April 11, 2023
Last Review: N. Wolford, March 6, 2023

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.