CHOLESTEROL

Mnemonic

CHOL

Synonym

CHOL - Serum/Plasma Cholesterol - Total Cholesterol

Specimen Collection Requirements

Collect

Serum or Plasma, one 5.0 mL gold (SST), 7.0 mL red or 3.0 mL mint green (PST) top tube

Handling

Allow serum to clot completely at room temperature (minimum: 30 minutes). Preferably, separate serum or plasma from cells before transport.

Preferred Volume

0.5 mL

Minimum Volume

0.3 mL

Transport

Refrigerated (2-8°C)

Rejection Criteria

Grossly hemolyzed specimens

Stability

Specimens collected using lithium heparin (PST) tubes are stable up to 7 days refrigerated (2-8°C) on the primary spun gel tube. AFTER SEPARATION FROM CELLS: Ambient (15-25°C): 24 hours; Refrigerated (2-8°C): 7 days; Frozen (at or below -20°C): 3 months

Testing Information

Performed

7 days/week

Method

Enzymatic

Referral Lab

Samaritan Health Services Laboratories

Reference Values

Reference Values

Cardiac Risk ADULTS:

Desirable <200 mg/dL
Borderline High >200-239 mg/dL
High Risk ≥240 mg/dL
Very High >280 mg/dL

Cardiac Risk CHILDREN & ADOLESCENTS:
Desirable<170 mg/dL
Borderline High 170-199 mg/dL
High Risk ≥200 mg/dL

CPT Codes

82465

Last Updated: Thursday, January 5, 2017 03:42:03 AM