Test Overview
Test Methodology

Enzymatic Colorimetric

Test Usage

Evaluation of cardiovascular risks, diagnosis of hypobetalipoproteinemia, and diagnosis of abetalipoproteinemia.

Reference Range *

< or = 130 mg/dL. The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) has set the following guidelines for serum LDL Cholesterol (ATP III Classification): Optimal <100 mg/dL; Near Optimal: 100 - 129 mg/dL; Borderline High 130 - 159 mg/dL; High 160 - 189 mg/dL; Very High >190 mg/dL. Patient's individual LDL-cholesterol goal may differ based on the presence of risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

* Reference ranges may change over time. Please refer to the original patient report when evaluating results.

Test Details
Days Set Up
Daily, 24 hours
Analytic Time

4 hours

Soft Order Code
DLDL
MiChart Code
LDL Cholesterol, Direct
Synonyms
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Direct LDL
  • LDLC
  • LDL CHOLESTEROL, DIRECT
  • DLDL
Laboratory
Chemical Pathology
Section
Automation
Specimen Requirements
Collection Instructions

Collect specimen in an SST tube after an overnight (12 hour) fast. Centrifuge, aliquot serum into a plastic vial and refrigerate.

Special Handling

Fasting specimen.

Alternate Specimen
Red top or Green top (sodium or lithium heparin) tube. [rev 11/09]
Normal Volume
0.5 mL serum
Minimum Volume
0.25 mL serum
Additional Information

Note that a calculated LDL level (LDLC) is included with the LIPID Profile. The direct LDL Cholesterol level (DLDL) will be performed automatically at an additional charge if the Triglyceride level is greater than 400 mg/dL and less than 3000 mg/dL.

Billing
CPT Code
83721
Fee Code
20918
LOINC
18262-6