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Cholesterol, Total
MessageTest performed at York Hospital Laboratory.
Test Code
CHOL
CPT Codes
82465
Preferred Specimen
0.2 mL serum collected in a serum separator tube (SST)
Other Acceptable Specimens
0.2 mL serum collected in a no additive (red-top) tube, transferred to a plastic screw-cap vial
0.2 mL plasma collected in a lithium heparin (green-top) gel separator tube
Patient Preparation
Patient should fast 9-12 hours before specimen collection.
0.2 mL plasma collected in a lithium heparin (green-top) gel separator tube
Patient Preparation
Patient should fast 9-12 hours before specimen collection.
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 4 hours
Refrigerated: 3 days
Frozen: 3 weeks
Refrigerated: 3 days
Frozen: 3 weeks
Methodology
Colorimetric
Setup Schedule
Daily
Report Available
Next Day
Reference Range
<200 mg/dL
Clinical Significance
Cholesterol measurements are used to evaluate the risk of developing coronary artery occlusion, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and cerebrovascular disease. Coronary atherosclerosis correlates with a high cholesterol level. Cholesterol concentrations are increased in primary hypercholesterolemia; secondary hyperlipoproteinemia, including nephrotic syndrome; primary biliary cirrhosis; hypothyroidism; and in some cases diabetes mellitus. Low cholesterol concentrations may be found in malnutrition, malabsorption, advanced malignancy, and hyperthyroidism. Serum cholesterol concentration depends on many factors, including age and gender.