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Test Code HDCH Cholesterol, High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL), Serum

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Specimen Type

Serum


Specimen Required


Patient Preparation:  Fasting is preferred but not required unless directed by the ordering provider.

Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Serum gel

Acceptable: Red top

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL 

Collection Instructions:  

1. Serum gel tube must be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection. 

2. Red-top tube must 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  30 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 risk for adults 18 years old and older:

HDL CHOLESTEROL

Males

≥40 mg/dL

Females

≥50 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 risk for children 2-17 years of age:

HDL CHOLESTEROL

Low HDL: <40 mg/dL

Borderline Low: 40-45 mg/dL

Acceptable: >45 mg/dL

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

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Sunday

CPT Code Information

83718

Clinical Information

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Excess cholesterol is actively pumped into HDL to be carried in the blood circulation and cleared by the liver in a process known as reverse cholesterol transport. For these reasons, HDL-C is often referred to as "good" cholesterol.

 

HDL-C is rarely measured in isolation and most often ordered along with total cholesterol and triglycerides. Measuring HDL-C and total cholesterol enables calculation of non-HDL cholesterol (total cholesterol-HDL-C). Non-HDL cholesterol is the combination of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol  and very-low density lipoprotein cholesterol. Non-HDL cholesterol is directly associated with risk for cardiovascular disease and referred to as "bad" cholesterol.

Report Available

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.