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
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
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
