HDL Cholesterol

Preferred Specimen(s) 1 mL serum

Transport Container Plastic screw-cap vial

Transport Temperature

Ambient 5 days,
Refrigerated 14 days

Reject Criteria

Gross hemolysis
Anticoagulants other than heparin

Methodology Spectrophotometry (SP)

Clinical Significance HDL cholesterol is inversely related to the risk for cardiovascular disease. It increases following regular exercise, moderate alcohol consumption and with oral estrogen therapy. Decreased levels are associated with obesity, stress, cigarette smoking and diabetes mellitus.