Specimen

Serum

Collection Medium:

Minimum:

Adult minimum: 12 mL whole blood in two 6 mL red top tubes to yield
  (min: 4.0 mL serum)

Pediatric minimum: 6 mL whole blood in one red top tube to yield
  (min: 2.0 mL serum)

Analytic Time:

4 working days

Reference Range:

The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) has set the following 
guidelines (reference values) for cholesterol, total; triglycerides, 
total; LDL cholesterol; HDL cholesterol; and Lp(a) cholesterol:

Test                        Reference Values
 Cholesterol, Total         Desirable: <200 mg/dl
                            Borderline high: 200-239 mg/dl
                            High: > or = 240 mg/dl

 Triglycerides, Total       Normal: <150 mg/dl
                            Borderline high: 150-199 mg/dl
                            High: 200-499
                            Very high: > or = 500 mg/dl

 LDL Cholesterol            Optimal: <100 mg/dl
                            Low risk: 100-129 mg/dl
                            Borderline high: 130-159 mg/dl
                            High: 160-189 mg/dl
                            Very high: > or = 190 mg/dl

 LDL Triglycerides          < or = 50 mg/dL

 Apolipoprotein B           Males:    55-151 mg/dL
                            Females:  44-148 mg/dL

 HDL Cholesterol            Low HDL:   < 40 mg/dL
                            Normal:   40-60 mg/dL
                            Desirable: > 60 mg/dL

 VLDL Cholesterol           < 30 mg/dL

 VLDL Triglycerides         < 120 mg/dL

 Beta-VLDL Cholesterol      < 15 mg/dL

 Beta-VLDL Triglycerides    < 15 mg/dL

 Chylomicron Cholesterol    Undetectable

 Chylomicron Triglycerides  Undetectable

 Lp(a) Cholesterol          Desirable:  < 3 mg/dL
                            Values >3 mg/dL may suggest increased risk
                            of coronary artery disease.

 LpX                        Undetectable

Comments:

Patient age and sex must be written on requisition.

Patient must fast for 12-14 hours before collection.  Patient must not 
consume any alcohol for 24 hours before the specimen is drawn.

Methodology:

Ultracentrifugation/Electrophoresis/Automated Enzymatic
Colorimetric Analysis/Automated Turbidimetric Immunoassay

CPT Code:

80061 Lipid panel(includes HDL, total cholesterol and triglyceride), 
82172 Apolipoprotein B, 82664 Lipoprotein A Cholesterol Electrophoresis

See Additional Information:
Fasting Specimen Requirements
Urine Tests Requiring Preservatives, Refrigeration or Special Containers