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Test Code LAB18 Lipid Panel, Blood

Testing Algorithm

If the triglyceride value is >400 mg/dL the LDL calculation is invalid and a Direct LD will ordered at an addtional charge and performed at Barnes-Jewish Hospital Laboratory at IOH

Performing Laboratory

St. Louis Children's Hospital Laboratory - Chemistry

Specimen Requirements

Panel includes: Cholesterol Totl; Triglycerides; LDL Cholesterol (calculated); non-HDL Cholesterol (calculated); and HDL Cholesterol

 

Patient Preparation: Fasting for >8 hours is recommended but not required

Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Mint green-top Lithium Heparin (MNTGRN LiHep) tube

Acceptable: Plain red-top tube or Gold SST gel tube

Submission Container/Tube: If specimen is coming from outside facility and collected in a plain red-top tube aliquot processed sample into a plastic vial for transport (labeling with specimen type).

Specimen Collection Volume: 2.0 mL (minimum 1.0 mL)

Special Instructions: Send to lab promptly

 

Sample Rejection

Mislabled or unlabeled specimens

Logistics

Test Availability: Monday-Sunday

Cut-off time: None, performed as received

Turnaround Time: Same Day; 2 hours from receipt in performing lab

Reference Values

Reference Interval: 

Cholesterol, total  
≤ 19 years: <200 mg/dL
     Acceptable: <170  mg/dL
     Borderline High: 170-190 mg/dL                                                      
     High: ≥ 200 mg/dL
≥ 20 years: 30-199 mg/dL
     Desirable: <200 mg/dL
     Borderline High: 200-239 mg/dL
     HIgh: ≥ 240 mg/dL
HDL Cholesterol  
≤ 19 years: >45 mg/dL
     Low: <40 mg/dL
     Borderline low: 40-45 mg/dL
     Acceptable: >45 mg/dL
≥ 20 years: > 40 mg/dL
     Low*: <40 mg/dL
     Desirable:   ≥ 60 mg/dL
*Low HDL is considered a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
LDL Cholesterol (calc)  
≤ 19 years: <130 mg/dL
     acceptable: <110 mg/dL
     Borderline High: 110-129 mg/dL
     HIgh: ≥ 130 mg/dL
≥ 20 years <130 mg/dL
     Optimal: <100 mg/dL
     Near Optimal: 100-129 mg/dL
     Borderline High: 130-159 mg/dL
     High: ≥ 160 mg/dL
non-HDL Cholesterol  
≤ 19 years: <145 mg/dL
     Acceptable: <120 mg/dL
     Borderline High: 120-144 mg/dL
     High: >145 mg/dL
≥ 20 years:  
when triglycerides are >200 mg/dL, non-HDL cholesterol is a secondary target of therapy with treatment goals that are 30 mg/dL greater than the LDL cholesterol target.
Triglycerides  
≤ 9 years: <100 mg/dL
     Acceptable: <75 mg/dL
     Borderline High: 75-99 mg/dL
     High: ≥ 100 mg/dL
10-20 years: <130 mg/dL
     Acceptable <90 mg/dL
     Borderline High: 90-129 mg/dL
     HIgh: ≥ 130 mg/dL
≥ 20 years: <150 mg/dL
     Desirable: <150 mg/dL
     Borderline High: 150-199 mg/dL
     High: 200-499 mg/dL
     Very High: ≥ 500 mg/dL
 

Literature References:

  1. Expert Panel on Integrated Guidelines for Cardiovascular Health and Risk Reduction in Children and Adolescents. Pediatrics 2011;128:S213
  2. National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel Circulation 2004;110:227.
  3. Sampson M. et al JAMA Cardiol.2020 May 1; 5(5): 540-548.doi:10.1001/jamacardio.2020.0013

Critical Value: none established

 

Methodology

Enzymatic, Colorimetric

Limitations

  • NA

Additional Information

FOR SLCH CORE LABORATORY USE ONLY

Lab Processing Instructions: Centrifuge to separate. If specimen is collected in a plain red-top tube aliquot sample into a Roche false-bottom tube for testing (labeling aliquot with specimen type).

Processed Volume: 0.3 mL plasma/serum

Analyte Stability:

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Whole Blood (unprocessed)  Ambient 24 hours
Plasma/Serum (processed) Refrigerated (preferred) 7 days
  Ambient  24 hours
  Frozen  1 months     

Test Classification and CPT Code

80061

LOINC

Chol: 2093-3

Trig:  2571-8

LDL Chol:  NA

HDL Chol:  2085-9

Last Reviewed

06/2025