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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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CHOLESTEROL

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB1995    Geisinger Epic ID:  14332

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

Plasma or Serum


Preferred collection container: 
Specimen required: 

2 mL of serum or plasma; minimum 0.2 mL


Patient preparation: 

Fasting specimen preferred



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Processing instructions: 

Allow serum to clot. Centrifuge to separate serum or plasma within 2 hours of collection.


Transport temperature: 

Refrigerated (preferred). Frozen specimen also acceptable.


Specimen stability: 

Refrigerated: 7 days. Frozen: 3 months.


Rejection criteria: 

Stability limits exceeded



TEST DETAILS
Interpretation guide: 
 <18 yrs old: 
 <170 mg/dLAcceptable
 170-199 mg/dLBorderline High
 >= 200 mg/dLHigh
 Adult: 
 <200 mg/dLDesirable
 200-239 mg/dLBorderline high
 >=240 mg/dLHigh

CPT code(s):  82465
Note: The billing party has sole responsibility for CPT coding.  Any questions regarding coding should be directed to the payer being billed.
The CPT codes provided by GML are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only.

Test includes: 

Cholesterol


Methodology: 
Spectrophotometric (Colorimetric)
Synonyms: 

CHOL


Clinical significance: 

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


Doctoral Director(s): 
Hoi-Ying Elsie Yu, PhD, DABCC, FADLM
Sheng-Ying (Margaret) Lo, PhD, DABCC
Review Date:  12/27/2024

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