Laboratory: Clinical Biochemistry  (AUTOMATED)
Test Name:
CHOLESTEROL, TOTAL - (P)
Test Code: CH
Clinical Information:
Description: Used to evaluate cardiovascular risk.

Recommendations: Canadian Cardiovascular Society Dyslipidemia Guidelines
Adult: 2021 Canadian Cardiovascular Society Guidelines for the Management of Dyslipidemia for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Adults
Pediatrics: The Detection, Evaluation, and Management of Dyslipidemia in Children and Adolescents: A Canadian Cardiovascular Society/Canadian Pediatric Cardiology Association Clinical Practice Update (2022)

Patient Preparation Instructions: Fasting or non-fasting specimen, as requested by the ordering physician.
 
If fasting specimen is required:
Adult: fast 8 hours
Infant: collect just before next feeding

Lipid Reporting and NIH LDL-C Equation Update by Shared Health and Dynacare Laboratories
Collection Devices:
Specimen Required:


Plasma: 2.0 mL
Pediatric Plasma: 1.0 mL

Specimen Stability: 
Ambient: 7 days
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 3 months 
Referral:
Serum: 2.0 mL

Shipping & Storage: Aliquot, store and ship frozen.
 
Requisition:
Reference Values:
 
Age Decision Limit Comment
<20 y <5.20 mmol/L Desired: < 4.40 mmol/L
Borderline: 4.40 - < 5.20 mmol/L
Increased risk:  >/= 5.20 mmol/L
 
≥20 y <5.20 mmol/L Total cholesterol and HDL-c used for risk assessment and to calculate non-HDL-c.
 
 

Method of Analysis: Roche Cobas or Ortho Vitros: enzymatic, colorimetric
 
Availability:
Stat or Routine
See Also:
More Information:
Interpretation & Assay Interferences: N-Acetylcysteine at the therapeutic concentration when used as an antidote and the acetaminophen metabolite N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI) independently may cause falsely low results.