Test Details
Methodology
See individual tests.
Result Turnaround Time
Within 1 day
Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.
Test Includes
Cholesterol, total; high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol; low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (calculation); nonhigh-density lipoprotein (non-HDL) cholesterol (calculation = total cholesterol minus HDLC); triglycerides; very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol (calculation)
Use
The Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel's revised guidelines1 for the treatment of cholesterol in adults called for increased attention to the metabolic syndrome and diabetes. These guidelines highlighted the increased inaccuracy of the LDL-C measurement in these patients because of elevated triglycerides. To overcome the inaccuracy of the calculated LDL-C method when triglycerides are elevated, measurement of nonhigh-density lipoprotein (non-HDL) was recommended as a better means to follow these patients toward their treatment goals. Non-HDL-C is a calculation (total cholesterol minus HDL-C), ie, the sum of the VLDL-C, LDL-C, and IDL-C. While LDL-C has long been the primary focus of cholesterol reduction efforts, researchers have identified several other lipoproteins that also affect cardiovascular health. The advantage of non-HDL-C measurement is that it accounts for cholesterol in the other potentially atherogenic lipoprotein particles, which include VLDL-C, IDL-C, LDL-C, and lipoprotein(a). Studies2,3 have shown that the measurement of non-HDL-C, rather than LDL-C, would be a better target for therapy, especially in persons with a triglyceride level >200 mg/dL. Cut-points for non-HDL-C are 30 mg/dL higher than the LCL-C cut-points (eg, if the patient's LDL-C goal is <160 mg/dL, the non-HDL-C goal should be <190 mg/dL).
Special Instructions
State patient's age and sex on the request form.
Limitations
LDL cholesterol cannot be calculated if triglyceride is >800 mg/dL.
Footnotes
Specimen Requirements
Specimen
Serum (preferred) or plasma
Volume
2 mL
Minimum Volume
0.7 mL (Note: This volume does not allow for repeat testing.)
Container
Red-top tube, gel-barrier tube, or green-top (lithium heparin) tube. Do not use oxalate, EDTA, or citrate plasma.
Collection Instructions
Separate serum from cells within 45 minutes of collection. Lipid panels are best avoided for up to three months following acute myocardial infarction, although cholesterol can be measured in the first 24 hours.
Stability Requirements
Temperature | Period |
---|---|
Room temperature | 3 days |
Refrigerated | 14 days |
Frozen | 14 days |
Freeze/thaw cycles | Stable x2 |
Storage Instructions
Maintain specimen at room temperature.
Patient Preparation
Patient should be on a stable diet, ideally for two to three weeks prior to collection of blood. Fasting is not necessary for this profile, however fasting for 12 to 14 hours prior to collection of the specimen is recommended where the triglyceride value provides a priori diagnostic information such as screening for familial hypercholesterolemia or early onset heart disease, pancreatitis, or confirming hypertriglyceridemia.
Causes for Rejection
Specimen with greatly elevated triglycerides (>400 mg/dL); improper specimen labeling
LOINC® Map
Order Code | Order Code Name | Order Loinc | Result Code | Result Code Name | UofM | Result LOINC |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
343925 | LP+Non-HDL Cholesterol | 001065 | Cholesterol, Total | mg/dL | 2093-3 | |
343925 | LP+Non-HDL Cholesterol | 001172 | Triglycerides | mg/dL | 2571-8 | |
343925 | LP+Non-HDL Cholesterol | 011817 | HDL Cholesterol | mg/dL | 2085-9 | |
343925 | LP+Non-HDL Cholesterol | 011919 | VLDL Cholesterol Cal | mg/dL | 13458-5 | |
343925 | LP+Non-HDL Cholesterol | 012059 | LDL Chol Calc (NIH) | mg/dL | 13457-7 | |
343925 | LP+Non-HDL Cholesterol | 011923 | LDL Calc Comment: | N/A | ||
343925 | LP+Non-HDL Cholesterol | 011976 | Non-HDL Cholesterol | mg/dL | 43396-1 | |
Order Code | 343925 | |||||
Order Code Name | LP+Non-HDL Cholesterol | |||||
Order Loinc | ||||||
Result Code | 001065 | |||||
Result Code Name | Cholesterol, Total | |||||
UofM | mg/dL | |||||
Result LOINC | 2093-3 | |||||
Order Code | 343925 | |||||
Order Code Name | LP+Non-HDL Cholesterol | |||||
Order Loinc | ||||||
Result Code | 001172 | |||||
Result Code Name | Triglycerides | |||||
UofM | mg/dL | |||||
Result LOINC | 2571-8 | |||||
Order Code | 343925 | |||||
Order Code Name | LP+Non-HDL Cholesterol | |||||
Order Loinc | ||||||
Result Code | 011817 | |||||
Result Code Name | HDL Cholesterol | |||||
UofM | mg/dL | |||||
Result LOINC | 2085-9 | |||||
Order Code | 343925 | |||||
Order Code Name | LP+Non-HDL Cholesterol | |||||
Order Loinc | ||||||
Result Code | 011919 | |||||
Result Code Name | VLDL Cholesterol Cal | |||||
UofM | mg/dL | |||||
Result LOINC | 13458-5 | |||||
Order Code | 343925 | |||||
Order Code Name | LP+Non-HDL Cholesterol | |||||
Order Loinc | ||||||
Result Code | 012059 | |||||
Result Code Name | LDL Chol Calc (NIH) | |||||
UofM | mg/dL | |||||
Result LOINC | 13457-7 | |||||
Order Code | 343925 | |||||
Order Code Name | LP+Non-HDL Cholesterol | |||||
Order Loinc | ||||||
Result Code | 011923 | |||||
Result Code Name | LDL Calc Comment: | |||||
UofM | ||||||
Result LOINC | N/A | |||||
Order Code | 343925 | |||||
Order Code Name | LP+Non-HDL Cholesterol | |||||
Order Loinc | ||||||
Result Code | 011976 | |||||
Result Code Name | Non-HDL Cholesterol | |||||
UofM | mg/dL | |||||
Result LOINC | 43396-1 |