Laboratory Medicine
Test Directory / HDL Cholesterol
HDL Cholesterol
Brown clotted serum, gel barrier or lithium heparin
| Test | HDL Cholesterol |
|---|---|
| Common Abbreviations | HDL |
| Profile | Lipids |
| Tube type | Brown clotted serum, gel barrier or lithium heparin |
| Clinical Indication | Approximately 25% of total serum cholesterol is transported in the HDL fraction. Numerous studies have demonstrated a strong inverse association between HDL cholesterol and the incidence of coronary heart disease. It has been proposed that the uptake and transport of cholesterol from peripheral tissue to the liver acts as a protective factor against the development of atheroschlerotic plaques. Determination of HDL cholesterol is therefore essential for the interpretation of individual cholesterol determinations. Low HDL is a risk factor independent of total cholesterol and is highly predictive of coronary heart disease. |
| Specimen Type | Blood |
| Sample type | Serum or plasma |
| Minimum Volume | 0.5mL If requesting more than 10 tests please send an additional brown clotted serum sample. |
| Special Precautions | No special requirements |
| Stability | 7 days at 2-25°C |
| Turnaround Time | Inpatient: 4 hours Outpatient/ GP: 24 hours |
| Laboratory | York and Scarborough |
| Reference Interval | Female: >1.1 mmol/L Male: >0.9 mmol/L (Recommended by Joint British Society Guidelines) |
| Limitations | Grossly haemolysed, lipaemic or icteric samples are not suitable for analysis. Methimazole (antithyroid) can give falsely low results if administered before/ during venepuncture. N-acetyl cysteine / NAPQI (paracetamol overdose) can give falsely low results. |
| Notes |
