Test Code 101
Test Details
Total Cholesterol (TC)
Total cholesterol is a measure of the amount of cholesterol in all cholesterol-containing lipoproteins including:
- Chylomicrons
- Chylomicron remnants
- VLDL
- IDL
- LDL
- Lp(a)
- HDL
Methodology
Enzymatic Colorimetric
Patient Preparation
8-12 hour fast prior to collection. Patient may drink water only. (If ordered as part a stand-alone test, fasting is not required)
Preferred Specimen
Green Top Tube
(Lithium Heparin plasma separator tube with gel)
Alternate Specimen
Dried Blood collected on an AdvanceDx 100 card
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated (ship on frozen cold packs)
Stability
Refrigerated: 7 days
Lab Values
Total Cholesterol (TC)
| Age | Optimal | Borderline | Increased Risk |
| ≤18 yrs | <170 mg/dL | 170 – 199 mg/dL | >199 mg/dL |
| >18 yrs | <200 mg/dL | 200 – 240 mg/dL | >240 mg/dL |
Clinical Significance
Total Cholesterol (TC)
Total cholesterol used in combination with LDL-C and HDL-C provides information related to the determination of cardiovascular disease risk.1
References:
- Contois JH, McConnell JP, Sethi A A, et al. Apolipoprotein B and cardiovascular disease risk: position statement from the AACC Lipoproteins and Vascular Diseases Division Working Group on Best Practices. Clin Chem. 2009;55(3):407–419.
Treatment Options
Total Cholesterol (TC)
- Lifestyle modification
- Statins
- Niacin
- Fibrates
- Cholesterol absorption inhibitor
- Bile acid sequestrants
