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Test Code CHOL Cholesterol, Total, Serum

Reporting Name

Cholesterol, Total, S

Useful For

Evaluation of cardiovascular risk

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Specimen Type

Serum


Specimen Required


Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Serum gel

Acceptable: Red top

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Serum gel tubes should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection.

2. Red-top tubes should be centrifuged and the serum aliquoted into a plastic vial within 2 hours of collection.


Specimen Minimum Volume

0.25 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum Refrigerated (preferred) 7 days
  Frozen  90 days

Reference Values

The National Lipid Association and the National Cholesterol Education Program have set the following guidelines for lipids in a context of cardiovascular disease for adults 18 years old and older:

 

TOTAL CHOLESTEROL

Desirable: <200 mg/dL

Borderline High: 200-239 mg/dL

High: ≥240 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 disease for children 2 to 17 years of age:

 

TOTAL CHOLESTEROL

Acceptable: <170 mg/dL

Borderline High: 170-199 mg/dL

High: ≥200 mg/dL

 

Reference values have not been established for patients who younger than 24 months of age.

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Sunday

CPT Code Information

82465

Report Available

Same day/1 day

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis Reject

Method Name

Enzymatic Colorimetric

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Cardiovascular Test Request (T724) with the specimen.