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Test Code LAB102 LDL, Direct (Low Density Lipoprotein)

Performing Laboratory

Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center (ARRMC)

 

Performing Department

Chemistry

Specimen Required

 

Outpatient clients MUST draw SST

Specimen Minimum Volume

2.0 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Tubes of blood should be kept closed at all times in a vertical, stopper-up postion. Serum or plasma should be separated from contact with cells as soon as possible.  A maximum limit of 2 hours from the time of collection is recommended.

Separated serum should not remain at 15° to 30° C longer than 8 hours. If assays are not completed within 8 hours, serum should be stored at 2° to 8°C.  If assays are not completed within 48 hours, or the separated sample is to be stored beyone 48 hours, samples should be frozen at 15° to 20°C.  Frozen samples should be thawed only once.  Analyte deterioration may occur in samples that are repeatedly frozen and thawed.

Reject Due To

  • Icterus
  • Lipemia
  • Hemolysis
  • Quantity not sufficient (QNS)
  • Lack of Two Patient Identifiers:
    • 1-Patient’s First & Last name 
    • 2-Patient’s Date of Birth

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Sunday

Method Name

Homogeneous detergent assay 

CPT Code Information

83721  

Lipoprotein, direct measurement; LDL cholesterol

Billing Code

2053171

Supportive Data

Medical trials and research have identified elevated LDL cholesterol as a major cause of coronary heart  disease (CHD).  Recent clinical studies have shown that LDL-lowering therapy reduces risk for CHD.  For these reasons, LDL cholesterol is often the primary target of cholesterol-lowering therapy.

 

Note:  Previous to the introduction of direct methods, the only way to easily estimate the LDL fraction was to measure total cholesterol, HDL and triglycerides and calculate LDL by the Friedenwald equation: 

Total cholesterol – HDL – (Trig/5).  Direct LDL methods allow the analysis of LDL alone.  In addition, high triglyceride values and non-fasting patients can have erroneous LDL values when calculated by the Friedenwald equation.