HDL Cholesterol Subclasses

Test Code

35932

CPT Codes
83701

Includes

HDL-2 Cholesterol and HDL-3 Cholesterol

Preferred Specimen

3 mL serum

Patient Preparation
If a cholesterol measurement is to be performed along with other lipid tests, the patient should fast 9-12 hours prior to collection

Minimum Volume

1.5 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Plasma collected in a sodium heparin (green-top) tube • Serum collected from a no additive (royal blue-top) tube

Transport Container

Transport tube

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated (cold packs)

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 24 hours
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen -20° C: 14 days
Frozen -70° C: 1 year

Methodology
Colorimetric (C) • Enzymatic • Precipitation

FDA Status
This test was developed and its analytical performance characteristics have been determined by Quest Diagnostics. It has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This assay has been validated pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.

Setup Schedule

Set up: Tues, Fri; Report available: 2-4 days

Reference Range

HDL 2 Cholesterol	9-38 mg/dL
HDL 3 Cholesterol	22-35 mg/dL

Clinical Significance

This test measures the concentrations of 2 major high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol subclasses (HDL2 cholesterol and HDL3 cholesterol) and may be used in studying the correlation between HDL subclasses and certain diseases, especially coronary heart disease (CHD) risk.

HDL is a heterogeneous group of particles that transports lipids, such as cholesterol and triglycerides. Based on hydrated densities, HDL can be divided into HDL2 (40% of total HDL) and HDL3 (60% of total HDL); HDL3 is smaller and denser. HDL2 and HDL3 differ in composition, functionality, and atherogenic or atheroprotective properties [1].

HDL cholesterol level has been inversely related to the CHD risk, but simply increasing total HDL cholesterol levels could not reduce future cardiovascular events [1]. Therefore, the atheroprotective properties of HDL were assumed to be rooted in the functionality of different HDL particles instead of total HDL cholesterol concentration. The value of HDL subgroup measurements for assessing CHD risk and various other conditions have been investigated, but whether HDL2 or HDL3 is the beneficial subfraction for CHD remains unclear [1].

The results of this test should be interpreted in the context of pertinent clinical and family history and physical examination findings.

Reference
1. Lappegard KT, et al. Biomedicines. 2021;9(7):836.

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.