Lipid Profile, Blood – Saskatoon
Discipline
Biochemistry
Overview
Description
- Laboratory does not require a fasting specimen. The needs for fasting or non-fasting lipid testing will be made at the discretion of the ordering physicians. In all cases, fasting hours must be indicated on the lab requisition.
Alias
- Total cholesterol
- Triglycerides
- HDL-cholesterol
- LDL-cholesterol
- Non-HDL-cholesterol
Specimen Information
Specimen types accepted
- Plasma
Specimen collection container
- Preferred collection container: Light Green (Lithium Heparin gel)
- Alternative collection container: Gold (gel)
Required volume
- Optimal volume: 4.5 mL Full collection tube
- Minimum/Pediatric Volume: 1.0 mL
(Submitting the minimum volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory/reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum volume may require a second collection.)
Transport and stability
- 4 hours on cells
- 7 days at 2 – 8°C
Rejection criteria
- Specimens received where the proper collection protocols were not followed
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Acceptance and Rejection Criteria
Performance
Methodology
- Enzymatic, colorimetric
Days/times performed
Availability |
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Testing site |
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Maximum laboratory time
- In hospital reported within 2 hours
- Community urgent and inter-hospital reported within 4 hours
- Community routine reported within 24 hours
Specimen retention time
- 3 days
Other information
- Test includes total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and non-HDL-cholesterol.
- Non-HDL-cholesterol is calculated using the formula: non-HDL-C=Total Cholesterol minus HDL-cholesterol.
- For patients 30 yrs old of age or older, the Framingham Risk Scores (FRS), modified for family history, is recommended for risk assessment (2016 CCS Guideline). FRS calculation resources can be found @ http://www.ccs.ca/images/Guidelines/Tools_and_Calculators_En/FRS_eng_2017_fnl1.pdf.
- Please refer to 2016 Guideline for pharmacological treatment indications and targets.
- For individuals with a history of triglyceride levels > 4.5 mmol/L, the lipid levels should be measured fasting (2016 CCS Guideline, Can J Cardiol 216).
- Further details regarding the implementation of non-fasting lipid have been communicated through the Saskatchewan Health Authority Laboratory Bulletin.
Last Updated: October 4, 2024