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Cholesterol, Total

Alternate Name: Chol

  | Blood cholesterol

SAL Code:

326

CPT:

82465

Loinc:

2093-3

Turn Around Time:

1 Day

Setup:

Daily

Units:

mg/dL

Department:

Lipids

Performing Laboratory:

Sherman Abrams Laboratory

Specimen Requirements:

Primary Tube:

SST

Primary Substance:

Serum

Temperature

Period

Stable Ambient:

5 Days

Stable Fridge:

7 Days

Stable Frozen:

30 Days

Rejection Criteria:

Gross hemolysis; improper labeling

Clinical Info:

Cholesterol testing is ordered to help determine your patients risk of fatty deposit (plaques) buildups in the circulatory system that can lead to narrowed or blocked passages throughout the body. While cholesterol may be ordered on its own as a diagnostic tool or as aid in monitoring patients undergoing treatment for high cholesterol, a more comprehensive lipid profile (SAL# 139) may be ordered to give the practitioner a better picture as to the overall health of your patients lipid metabolism and status.
More frequent testing might be needed if your patients initial test results were abnormal or if they already have coronary artery disease, are taking cholesterol-lowering medications, or if they are at higher risk of coronary artery disease because of:
· Have a family history of high cholesterol or heart attacks
· Are overweight
· Are physically inactive
· Have diabetes
· Eat an unhealthy diet
· Tobacco use

Additional Information:

Cholesterol is a fat-like, waxy substance that helps you body make cell membranes, many hormones, and is crucial in the production of vitamin d. When most people think of cholesterol they think about cardiac health, in essence cholesterol is vital for the function of a patient's entire body and may become a cardiac issue when there are excess levels of cholesterol present. Cholesterol is produced by the liver but is also ingested with a patient's diet. High cholesterol may be caused by a patient's age, genetic predisposition, or lifestyle. Decreased levels may be found in cases of malnutrition, malabsorption, hyperthyroidism and other conditions.

Sample Collection:

A 12 hour fasting specimen is preferred. Collect patient samples using standard phlebotomy techniques. Click here for additional collection instructions

Specimen Handling Instructions:

Maintain at ambient temperature; or refrigerated if more than 12 hours. Avoid exposure to heat or freezing temperatures.

Test Information:

Components:

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