Cholesterol, Total

Preferred Specimen(s) 1 mL serum

Transport Container Plastic screw-cap vial

Transport Temperature

Ambient 5 days,
Refrigerated 2 weeks

Reject Criteria

Gross hemolysis
Anticoagulants other than heparin

Methodology Spectrophotometry (SP)

Clinical Significance Total LDL and HDL cholesterol, in conjunction with a triglyceride determination, provide valuable information for the risk of coronary artery disease. Total serum cholesterol analysis is useful in the diagnosis of hyperlipoproteinemia, atherosclerosis, hepatic and thyroid diseases.