Lipids (Cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL)

Clinical Chemistry

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Description

Causes of raised triglycerides include poorly controlled diabetes, alcohol excess, obesity, medication and CRF. The risk of pancreatitis is increased if the triglyceride increase is sustained >10 mmol/L. Rare genetic causes of raised triglycerides include lipoprotein lipase deficiency and familial hypertriglyceridaemia. The aetiology of low HDL ranges from secondary causes ( such as smoking, obesity, hypertriglyceridaemia, CKD and medications e.g. androgens, progestogens, high-dose thiazides, high-dose beta blockers ) to rare specific genetic mutations. Secondary causes of high cholesterol include uncontrolled hypothyroidism, cholestatic liver disease and nephrotic syndrome. If adult total cholesterol is >7.5mmol/l and/or LDL is >4.9 mmol/L in the absence of a secondary cause, exclude Familial Hypercholesterolaemia ( FH ) using the Simon Broome criteria http://tinyurl.com/hltjqbw. Patients with suspected FH should be referred to the FHICC Clinic at NGH http://tinyurl.com/huzdl7h. For local guidelines on primary and secondary prevention of CVD please refer to the Sheffield Lipid Modification Guidelines at http://nww.sth.nhs.uk/NHS/LaboratoryMedicine/GP_Guidelines.htm

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Indications

Assessment of cardiovascular risk; follow-up of patients on statin treatment for primary or secondary prevention; screening for Familial Hypercholesterolaemia; presence of risk factors for hypertriglyceridaemia; clinical signs of hyperlipidaemia

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Sample Type

Serum. SST/Gel minimum 2mL (1mL separated serum). Recommended fasting at least 10 hours for triglycerides & LDL

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Reference Range

Reference ranges are provided on the report. Alternatively, please contact the laboratory for current ranges.

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Turnaround Time

Within 1 day

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Testing Frequency

Daily

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External Notes

LDL-C Calculation = Chol - HDL - ( Trig / 2.2 ) Non-HDL-C Calculation = Chol - HDL

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Patient Preparation

For the diagnosis of hypertriglyceridaemia, a fasting sample is usually required.

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Please note: the above information is subject to change and we endeavour to keep this website up to date wherever necessary.