Test Details
Methodology
Enzymatic
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.
Use
Monitoring of HDL-cholesterol in serum is of clinical importance since an inverse correlation exists between serum HDL-cholesterol concentrations and the risk of atherosclerotic disease. Elevated HDL-cholesterol concentrations are protective against coronary heart disease, while reduced HDL-cholesterol concentrations, particularly in conjunction with elevated triglycerides, increase the cardiovascular risk.2,3 Strategies have emerged for treating cardiovascular disease by increasing HDL-cholesterol levels.4,5
Footnotes
Custom Additional Information
Total cholesterol and triglycerides are required as well for determination of lipid risk factors for coronary artery disease. These tests with HDL-C and LDL-C are the usual lipid profile. HDL-C is especially apt to be low in male subjects who are obese and sedentary, in those who smoke cigarettes, and in those who have diabetes mellitus. Uremia is also associated with lower HDL-C. Exercise, appropriate diet and moderate ethanol intake increase HDL-C.
HDL-C is useful with cholesterol in forecasting protection against coronary artery disease in the industrialized countries, possible because of ingestion of high fat diets.
Those at least risk for development of coronary arterial disease have low cholesterol, low triglycerides, and high HDL-C.
Factors contributing to decreased HDL-C include:
• Genetic factors: primary hypoalphalipoproteinemia6
• Cigarette smoking7
• Obesity7
• Hypertriglyceridemia7
• Lack of exercise
• Steroids − androgens, progestogens, anabolic
• Thiazides
• Beta-adrenergic blockers
• Probucol
• Neomycin
Specimen Requirements
Specimen
Serum (preferred) or plasma
Volume
1 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 or plasma from cells within 45 minutes of collection.
Stability Requirements
Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
Room temperature | 3 days |
Refrigerated | 14 days |
Frozen | 14 days |
Freeze/thaw cycles | Stable x2 |
Reference Range
>39 mg/dL
Storage Instructions
Maintain specimen at room temperature.1
Patient Preparation
Patient should be on a normal diet and maintain a stable weight for a week prior to testing. Any drugs should be discontinued for three to four weeks if possible. Test should not be performed until three months after a myocardial infarction or similar traumatic episode, such as severe infection or inflammation. Fasting is not necessary.
Causes for Rejection
Improper labeling
LOINC® Map
| Order Code | Order Code Name | Order Loinc | Result Code | Result Code Name | UofM | Result LOINC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001925 | HDL Cholesterol | 2085-9 | 011817 | HDL Cholesterol | mg/dL | 2085-9 |
| Order Code | 001925 | |||||
| Order Code Name | HDL Cholesterol | |||||
| Order Loinc | 2085-9 | |||||
| Result Code | 011817 | |||||
| Result Code Name | HDL Cholesterol | |||||
| UofM | mg/dL | |||||
| Result LOINC | 2085-9 |