Cholesterol (Total)

General Information

Lab Name

Cholesterol (Total)

Lab Code

CHOL

Epic Name

Cholesterol, Total

Description

For fluids, Cholesterol, Fluid [FCHOLG]

Results from the lipid panel can be interpreted based on the most recent clinical guideline.

2019 ACC/AHA Guideline on the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: Executive Summary.

Interpretation

Method

Spectrophotometric

Reference Ranges

(individual methods listed below)

Default Method

Units: mg/dL
Female Male Unknown
AgeRange AgeRange AgeRange
0-<210 0-<210 0-<210

Effective date: 03/02/2026

FHCC Lab

Units: mg/dL
Female Male Unknown
AgeRange AgeRange AgeRange
0-<210 0-<210

Effective date: 03/02/2026

Ref. Range Notes

Total cholesterol (CHOL)
Ref range:<210
Optimal total cholesterol: ≤150 mg/dL
Hypercholesterolemia: 210-239 mg/dL
Significant hypercholesterolemia: ≥240 mg/dL

Guidelines

Ordering & Collection

Specimen Type

Blood

Collection

HMC and UW-MT Onsite Locations:
Preferred: 4 mL blood in LIME GREEN PST tube
Also Acceptable: 4 mL blood in ORANGE RST, GOLD SST, RED TOP or GREEN TOP tube
Pediatric: 1 Full LIME GREEN MICROTAINER
Unacceptable: LAVENDER TOP

Offsite Clinic or Other Locations:
Preferred: 4 mL blood in GOLD SST tube
Also Acceptable: 4 mL blood in ORANGE RST or LIME GREEN PST, RED TOP or GREEN TOP tube
Pediatric: 1 Full LIME GREEN MICROTAINER
Unacceptable: LAVENDER TOP

Handling Instructions

The Laboratory MUST process specimen, within 2 hours of blood collection

Quantity

requested: 0.5 mL plasma/serum
minimum: 0.2 mL plasma/serum

Processing

Separate plasma/serum within 2 hours of collection and Refrigerate.

STABILITY: Cholesterol is stable in serum and plasma for 7 days if stored refrigerated.

Performance

LIS Dept Code

Chemistry, Automated Panels (CHA)

Performing Location(s)

HMC Chemistry, Automated
206-520-4600

325 9th Ave, Rm # GWH-47, Seattle, WA 98104-2420
UW-NW Main Lab
206-668-1344

UW Medical Center – Northwest
1550 N 115th Street, A200
Seattle, WA 98133
FHCC Fred Hutch Alliance Lab
206-606-1088

825 Eastlake Ave, Seattle, WA 98109

Fax: 206-606-2027
Hours of Operation: 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Includes satellite labs:
• SAIM - Sloan Clinic 1, 6th Floor
• FHH3 - Sloan Clinic 2, 3rd Floor
• FHH4 - Sloan Clinic 2, 4th Floor
UW-MT Chemistry, Automated
206-520-4600

Clinical Lab, Room NW220,
University of Washington Medical Center,
1959 NE Pacific street, Seattle, WA 98195

Frequency

Daily

Available STAT?

No

Billing & Coding

CPT codes

82465

LOINC

2093-3

Interfaced Order Code

UOW3775

Interfaced Result Code

UOW3775