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  • Test Details
  • Lab Values
  • Clinical Significance
  • Treatment Options
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Test Code 221

Test Details

High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C)

HDL-C is a measure of high density cholesterol particles. Higher levels of HDL are associated with reduced CVD risk, but not all HDL is good. Refer to the Boston Heart HDL Map® for more information.

Methodology

Enzymatic colorimetric.

Patient Preparation

None

Preferred Specimen

1.0 mL serum (0.5 mL minimum) collected in serum separator tube (SST/Tiger Top)

Alternate Specimen

  • 1.0 mL EDTA plasma (0.5 mL minimum) collected in plasma separator tube (Pearl Top)
  • Dried Blood collected on an AdvanceDx 100 card

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated (ship on frozen cold packs)

Stability

Refrigerated: 7 days

Lab Values

Lab Values

High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C)

Male

  • Optimal: >50 mg/dL
  • Borderline: 40-50 mg/dL
  • Increased Risk: <40 mg/dL

Female

  • Optimal: >60 mg/dL
  • Borderline: 50-60 mg/dL
  • Increased Risk: <50 mg/dL
Test Details
Clinical Significance

Clinical Significance

High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C)

Low HDL-C is:

  • Independently associated with CVD risk.1
  • A  characteristic of the metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance.1

References: 

  1. Goff DC Jr, Lloyd-Jones DM, Bennett G, et al. 2013 ACC/AHA Guideline on the Assessment of Cardiovascular Risk: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2014;129(25 Suppl 2):S49-73.
Lab Values
Treatment Options

Treatment Options

High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C)

  • Lifestyle modification
  • Statins
  • Niacin
  • Fibrates
  • Fish oil
  • Bile acid sequestrants
Clinical Significance