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HDL Cholesterol

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB5070, Beaker: HDLC

Department

Chemistry

Instructions

It is preferable that the patient fast for 9-12 hours prior to blood draw, but it is not mandatory.

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: One Gold-top SST tube. (Minimum Whole Blood: 4.0 mL)
Contact Laboratory for acceptability of other tube types.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Let SST specimens clot for 30-60 minutes then immediately centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F) the centrifuged SST tube within two hours of collection. (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: Centrifuged SST tube, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Moderate to grossly hemolyzed specimens.
• Red-top tubes with serum not separated from cells within two hours of collection.

In-Lab Processing

Let SST specimens clot 30-60 minutes. Centrifuge SST tubes or Microtainers^® to separate serum from cells. Deliver immediately to the appropriate testing station.

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Centrifuged SST Tubes and Microtainers^® with Separator Gel
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 2-4 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Red-top Tubes and Microtainers^® without Separator Gel
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 2-4 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): Unacceptable
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Serum Specimens (Pour-Overs)
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 2-4 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 7 days

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days

Laboratory

Dearborn Chemistry Laboratory
Farmington Hills Chemistry Laboratory 
Grosse Pointe Chemistry Laboratory 
Royal Oak Automated Chemistry Laboratory 
Troy Chemistry Laboratory

Performed

Sunday – Saturday, 24 hours a day.
Routine results available within 4 hours.

Reference Range

Male, 18 – Adult:	≥ 40 mg/dL.
Female, 18 – Adult:	≥ 50 mg/dL.
Children 2 – 17 Years:	< 40 mg/dL.	Low
	40 – 45 mg/dL.	Borderline Low
	> 45 mg/dL.	Acceptable

Test Methodology

Enzymatic, Spectrophotometry.

Interpretation

Elevated HDL-cholesterol concentrations are generally protective against coronary heart disease. Decreased HDL-cholesterol concentrations, particularly in conjunction with elevated triglycerides, are associated with an increased cardiovascular disease risk. Factors contributing to a decreased HDL cholesterol include obesity, lack of exercise, cigarette smoking, steroids, hypertriglyceridemia and genetic factors. Tangier disease is a rare inherited disorder characterized by very low HDL, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels.

Clinical Utility

The quantitative determination of HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol aids in the diagnosis and treatment of lipid disorders. It should be used in the risk assessment of coronary artery disease (CAD). Low levels of HDL cholesterol are associated with an increased risk of CAD.

CPT Codes

83718

Contacts

Last Updated

10/29/2023