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Test Code CHOL Cholesterol, Plasma or Serum

Important Note

PATIENT NEEDS TO FAST FOR 8-12 HOURS BEFORE THE SPECIMEN IS DRAWN.

PATIENT CANNOT CONSUME ALCOHOL 24 HOURS BEFORE THE SPECIMEN IS DRAWN.

Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

 

Plasma


Draw blood in a green top (lithium heparin) tube or a plasma gel tube following an overnight (8-12 hour) fast. Patient must not consume any alcohol for 24 hours before the specimen is drawn. Spin down and send 0.5 mL of lithium heparin plasma refrigerated.


Note: 

  • Indicate plasma on request form.
  • Label specimen appropriately (plasma).

 

Serum
Draw blood in a plain, red top tube or a serum gel tube following an overnight (8-12 hour) fast. Patient must not consume any alcohol for 24 hours before the specimen is drawn. Spin down and send 0.5 mL of serum refrigerated.


Note:  1. 

  • Indicate serum on request form.
  • Label specimen appropriately (serum).

Specimen Stability

ROOM TEMP REFRIG 2-8 DEGREES FREEZER -20 DEGREES
7 DAYS 7 DAYS 3 MONTHS

 

Performing Laboratory

Conway Regional Laboratory Services

Reference Values

0-200 mg/dL
The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) has published reference cholesterol values for cardiovascular risk to be:

 

Low risk:  <200 mg/dL

Borderline risk:  201-239 mg/dL

High risk:  ≥240 mg/dL

Methodology

Enzymatic

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday

Available STAT

Test Classification and CPT Coding

82465