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.

Components

Interpretation

Guidelines
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

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

Receiving Instructions

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

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

Misc Sendout

Performance

Lab Department
Chemistry, Automated Panels(CHA)
Frequency
Daily
Available STAT?
No
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

Billing & Coding

CPT Codes
82465
LOINC
2093-3
Interfaced Order Code
UOW3775
Interfaced Result Code
UOW3775