Cholesterol Panel with Reflex to Direct LDL, Friedewald

Test Code

94713

CPT Codes
80061

Includes

Total Cholesterol|
HDL Cholesterol
Triglycerides
LDL-Cholesterol Friedewald (calculated)
Cholesterol/HDL Ratio (calculated)
Non-HDL Cholesterol (calculated)

If Triglyceride result is >400 mg/dL, then Direct LDL will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code(s): 83721).

Preferred Specimen

2 mL serum

Patient Preparation
If a cholesterol measurement is to be performed along with Triglycerides, but not part of a lipid panel, then the patient should be fasting 9-12 hours prior to collection. If the cholesterol is ordered as part of a lipid panel, then a fasting sample is not required. The assay manufacturer Beckman Coulter advises: "N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC), when administered in therapeutic concentrations (for the treatment of acetaminophen overdose), has been...determined to interfere with assays for...Cholesterol, Uric Acid" where "NAC interference may lead to falsely low results." According to Beckman Coulter, the NAC interference should be insignificant by 12 hours after completion of the initial loading dose of an IV infusion treatment regimen consisting of an initial loading dose of 150 mg/kg administered over 1 hr, a second dose of 50 mg/kg administered over 4 hrs and a third dose of 100 mg/kg administered over 16 hrs.

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Plasma collected in: Sodium heparin (green-top) tube or lithium heparin (green-top) tube

Instructions

Centrifuge within 30-60 minutes following collection

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated (cold packs)

Specimen Stability

Serum
Room temperature: 48 hours
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 28 days

Plasma
Room temperature: 48 hours
Refrigerated: 48 hours
Frozen: 28 days

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

Gross hemolysis • Moderate to gross icterus • Anticoagulants other than heparin

Methodology
Spectrophotometry

Setup Schedule

Set up: Daily; Report available: 1-2 days

Reference Range

See individual tests

Clinical Significance

This is the most common Lipid Panel. Components include those useful in the detection, classification, and monitoring of patients with hyperlipidemia.

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.