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HelpTest Code LPSC1 Lipid Panel, Serum
Specimen Required
Patient Preparation: Fasting is preferred but not required unless directed by the ordering provider.
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Serum gel tube must be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection.
2. Red-top tube must be centrifuged and the serum aliquoted into a plastic vial within 2 hours of collection.
Useful For
Managing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk using serum specimens
Profile Information
| Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHOL | Cholesterol, Total, S | Yes | Yes |
| TRIG | Triglycerides, S | Yes, (Order TRIG1) | Yes |
| HDCH | Cholesterol, HDL, S | Yes | Yes |
| CLDL1 | Cholesterol, LDL, Calculated, S | No | Yes |
| NHDCH | Cholesterol, Non-HDL, Calculated, S | No | Yes |
| INTC1 | Fasting (8 HR or more) | No | Yes |
Method Name
CHOL, TRIG, HDCH: Enzymatic Colorimetric
CLDL1, NHDCH: Calculation
Reporting Name
Lipid Panel, SSpecimen Type
SerumSpecimen Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 7 days | |
| Frozen | 30 days |
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | Reject |
Clinical Information
Lipoprotein cholesterol measurements are essential in managing risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Atherosclerosis is defined by a buildup of plaque within arterial walls. ASCVD includes coronary heart disease, strokes, and peripheral artery disease. ASCVD develops over decades and is often asymptomatic until the patient experiences a life-threatening event such as a heart attack, stroke, or aneurysm.
Cholesterol is a lipid that is synthesized in most tissues and actively absorbed from the diet. There is a strong association between serum cholesterol concentrations and cardiovascular disease.
Cholesterol is carried in the blood by lipoproteins. Some lipoproteins carry a stronger risk of cardiovascular disease while others are associated with reduced cardiovascular risk. Total cholesterol concentration includes the sum of all "good" and "bad" cholesterol. Therefore, total cholesterol is recommended to be interpreted in context of a lipid panel that includes high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglyceride measurements.
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is the primary lipoprotein responsible for atherogenic plaque. Very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) is also atherogenic and the combination of LDL-C and VLDL-C is called non-HDL cholesterol and often referred to as "bad" cholesterol. Serum total cholesterol, LDL-C, and non-HDL cholesterol are all directly associated with risk for ASCVD.
HDL-C is associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Excess cholesterol is actively pumped into HDL to be carried in the blood circulation and cleared by the liver in a process known as reverse cholesterol transport. For these reasons, HDL-C is often referred to as "good" cholesterol.
Triglycerides are oily lipids carried in the blood by lipoproteins. Triglycerides are primarily carried by VLDL, chylomicrons, and remnant lipoproteins. Recent evidence supports triglycerides as an independent risk factor for ASCVD. Several conditions are associated with increased plasma triglycerides, including obesity, pregnancy, physical inactivity, excess alcohol intake, kidney disease, and diabetes. Elevated triglycerides are often associated with reduced HDL-C, insulin resistance, hypertension, fatty liver disease, and increased waist circumference. In addition to cardiovascular risk, elevated triglycerides confer a risk for acute pancreatitis.
Reference Values
The National Lipid Association and the National Cholesterol Education Program have set the following guidelines for lipids in a context of cardiovascular risk for adults 18 years and older:
TOTAL CHOLESTEROL
Desirable: <200 mg/dL
Borderline High: 200-239 mg/dL
High: ≥240 mg/dL
TRIGLYCERIDES
Normal: <150 mg/dL
Borderline High: 150-199 mg/dL
High: 200-499 mg/dL
Very High: ≥500 mg/dL
HIGH DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN (HDL) CHOLESTEROL
Males
≥40 mg/dL
Females
≥50 mg/dL
LOW DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN (LDL) CHOLESTEROL
Desirable: <100 mg/dL
Above Desirable: 100-129 mg/dL
Borderline High: 130-159 mg/dL
High: 160-189 mg/dL
Very High: ≥190 mg/dL
NON-HDL CHOLESTEROL
Desirable: <130 mg/dL
Above Desirable: 130-159 mg/dL
Borderline High: 160-189 mg/dL
High: 190-219 mg/dL
Very High: ≥220 mg/dL
The Expert Panel on Integrated Guidelines for Cardiovascular Health and Risk Reduction in Children and Adolescents has set the following guidelines for lipids in a context of cardiovascular risk for children ages 2-17:
Reference values have not been established for patients who are younger than 24 months.
TOTAL CHOLESTEROL
Acceptable: <170 mg/dL
Borderline High: 170-199 mg/dL
High: ≥200 mg/dL
TRIGLYCERIDES
2-9 years:
Acceptable: <75 mg/dL
Borderline High: 75-99 mg/dL
High: ≥100mg/dL
10-17 years:
Acceptable: <90 mg/dL
Borderline High: 90-129 mg/dL
High: ≥130 mg/dL
HDL CHOLESTEROL
Low HDL: <40 mg/dL
Borderline Low: 40-45 mg/dL
Acceptable: >45 mg/dL
LDL CHOLESTEROL
Acceptable: <110 mg/dL
Borderline High: 110-129 mg/dL
High: ≥130 mg/dL
NON-HDL CHOLESTEROL
Acceptable: <120 mg/dL
Borderline High: 120-144 mg/dL
High: ≥145 mg/dL
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday
Report Available
1 dayPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Test Classification
This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
80061-Lipid panel (if all 3 performed)
82465-Cholesterol, total (if all 3 are not performed)
84478-Triglycerides (if all 3 are not performed)
83718-Cholesterol, HDL (if all 3 are not performed)