Plasma
Fluid
Adult patient:
Heparin gel tube
Minimum blood volume: 5 mL
Plain bottle
Minimum volume: 10 mL
Paediatric patient:
Paediatric heparin tube
Number of vials: 1
Minimum blood volume: 1.3 mL
Authorisation code required
No
24 Hr available service
Yes
(Call extension: 3353 for express result)
No
Method
Spectrophotometry
Reference interval
Plasma:
For adults (≥ 18 years):
Desirable levels:
| Fasting | Non-fasting | |
| Cholesterol | < 5.0 | < 5.0 |
| HDL Cholesterol | > 1.0 | > 1.0 |
| Triglycerides | < 1.7 | < 2.0 |
| LDL Cholesterol | < 3.0 | < 3.0 |
| Non HDL Cholesterol | < 3.8 | < 3.9 |
Treatment goals based on total cardiovascular disease risk assessment:
| Moderate | High | Very High | |
| LDL Cholesterol | < 3.0 | < 2.5 | < 1.8 |
| Non HDL Cholesterol | < 3.8 | < 3.3 | < 2.6 |
The reference intervals were adopted from ESC/EAS/EFLC 2016 (Eur Heart J. 2016:37:1944-58. 2999-3058)
For paediatric patients (<18 years):
| Low | Borderline Low | Acceptable | Borderline High | High | |
| Cholesterol | < 4.4 | 4.4 - 5.1 | ≥ 5.2 | ||
| HDL Cholesterol | < 1.0 | 1.0 - 1.2 | > 1.2 | ||
| Triglycerides (0 - 9 years) | < 0.8 | 0.8 - 1.1 | > 1.1 | ||
| Triglycerides (10 -18 years) | < 1.0 | 1.0 - 1.5 | > 1.5 | ||
| LDL Cholesterol | < 2.8 | 2.8 - 3.3 | ≥ 3.4 | ||
| Non HDL Cholesterol | < 3.1 | 3.1 - 3.7 | > 3.7 |
The reference intervals were adopted from NCEP/NHLBI 2011 (Pediatrics. 2011:128 Suppl 5:S213-256)
Pleural fluid for chylothorax discrimination criteria:
Suggestive of Chylothorax if:
- fluid TC / plasma TC < 1.0; AND
- fluid TG / plasma TG > 1.0; AND
- fluid TG concentration > 1.25 mmol/L
Reference: Romero S et al. Chest 1998; 114; 154 - 59
Clinical indication
Assessment of lipid status, particularly as a risk factor for coronary artery disease and in diagnosis and treatment of disorders involving elevated cholesterol as well as lipid and lipoprotein metabolic disorders.
To assess atherosclerotic risk, cholesterol should be performed with triglyceride and HDL assays, as part of a global risk assessment.
LDL cholesterol is often calculated rather than measured directly although this method is unreliable if levels of triglyceride are > 4.5 mmol/L.
Result interpretation
High LDL and low HDL levels are associated with a significantly increased risk of coronary artery disease in all age groups. The cause may be primary (familial hypercholesterolaemia and other genetic disorders) or secondary (associated with e.g. biliary obstruction, hypothyroidism, nephrotic syndrome).
Levels are reduced for up to 8 weeks with acute illness (e.g. myocardial infarction, acute infection) and assessment should not be attempted during this time.
Frequency of measurement
Daily