Cholesterol, Total : 334

Test Code
CHOLAU or 334


CPT Codes
82465

Instructions
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 hour, a second dose of 50 mg/kg administered over 4 hours and a third dose of 100 mg/kg administered over 16 hours.


Transport Container
Preferred Specimen
1 mL serum

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

Minimum Volume
0.5 mL


Transport Temperature
Room temperature.


Specimen Stability
Serum
Room temperature: 7 days; Refrigerated: 7 days; Frozen: 90 days
 
Plasma
Room temperature: 48 hours; Refrigerated: 48 hours; Frozen: 6 months


Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Gross hemolysis, Anticoagulants other than heparin, Moderate to gross icterus


Methodology
Spectrophotometry

Setup Schedule
Sunday - Saturday


Report Available
1 day


Reference Range
<20 Years              <170 mg/dL


≥20 Years              <200 mg/dL



Clinical Significance
Total LDL and HDL cholesterol, in conjunction with a triglyceride determination, provide valuable information for the risk of coronary artery disease. Total serum cholesterol analysis is useful in the diagnosis of hyperlipoproteinemia, atherosclerosis, hepatic and thyroid diseases.


Performing Laboratory
med fusion



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.