Lipids

Overview
Department	Biochemistry
Test Code	LIPS
Constituent Tests	Cholesterol, Plasma Triglyceride, Plasma Cholesterol LDL (Calculated), Plasma HDL Cholesterol, Plasma Cholesterol/HDL Ratio, Plasma
Synonyms	Cholesterol HDL Cholesterol LDL Cholesterol Triglyceride
Base Lab Availability	Monday - Sunday, testing routinely available out of hours
Hawera Lab Availability	Monday - Friday, 8am to 4 30pm
Turnaround Time	2 hours
Stability – Add test	24 hours
Specimen Requirements
Specimen	Serum Plasma
Preferred	6 mL Plain Red-Top
Acceptable	4 mL Li-Hep Green-Top
Unacceptable
Specimen Transportation
Paediatric Requirements	600 µL Li-Hep Microtainer
Aliquot Requirements
Sample
Preferred Volume
Minimum Volume
Aliquot Transportation
Clinical Information
Reference Intervals	Help for Lipid Studies Interpretation Reported Comments: 1. All reports get this comment (see below for additional information on optimal levels): "Optimal levels are suggested by the New Zealand Guidelines though an individualised multi-factorial approach is preferred." 2. All reports get this comment, unless superseded by any one or more of the other comments below: "Cardiovascular risk should be addressed by lifestyle and pharmacological interventions in subjects with 5-year CV risk greater than 15%."
Test Method	Abbott Alinity c series analyser Cholesterol: Enzymatic HDL Cholesterol: Accelerator Selective Detergent Triglycerides: Glycerol phosphate oxidase LDL Cholesterol: Calculated assay LDL Cholesterol = Total Chol - HDL Chol -(Trigs/2.22) mmol/L Cholesterol ratio: Total/HDL cholesterol ratio = Total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol Note: HDL/LDL not analysed in specimens with triglycerides >10.0 mmol/L. Triglycerides > 4.5 may result in inaccurate HDL. LDL/Cholesterol ratio not calculated.
Advanced Notice	Not required
Patient Preparation	Not required
Comments
The calculation of LDL Cholesterol is only an approximation and is invalid in the presence of VLDL, Therefore LDL Cholesterol is calculated only if the triglycerides are less than 4.5 mmol/L. LDL Chol = Total Chol - HDL Chol - (Trigs/2.22) mmol/L.

Owner	Clair Crossley (Crossley1)
Last reviewed	30.01.2026
Next review	30.01.2027 (OK)