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Cholesterol

3021

cpt

normal turn-around time

assays included

specimen type

minimum required

CHOL

82465

24 hours

CHOL

Serum or Plasma

1 mL of serum or heparinized plasma

collection instructions

  • Collect blood in a serum separator tube (SST) or a lithium heparin tube.

  • Allow the blood to clot at room temperature for 30 minutes if using an SST.

  • Centrifuge and separate serum or plasma from cells within 2 hours of collection.

  • Transport the specimen at 2-8°C if not tested within 2 hours.

collection instructions

  • Hemolysis: Red blood cell destruction can falsely increase glucose levels.

  • Improper Labeling: Specimen must be labeled with at least two patient identifiers.

  • Insufficient Quantity: Volume less than 1 mL may not be sufficient for accurate testing.

  • Lipemia: Excessive fat in the blood can interfere with certain test results.

clinical significance

The Cholesterol test measures the total amount of cholesterol in the blood. Cholesterol is a type of lipid that is essential for building cells and producing certain hormones. However, high levels of cholesterol in the blood can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke. The test is used to assess cardiovascular risk and monitor lipid-lowering therapy.

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