Lab Index

Serum Total High-Density Lipoproteins Measurement Lab

Background

1. Also known as "good cholesterol"
2. Indications: Assess risk for
   • CAD
     • Cholesterol to HDL ratio
     • Serum HDL
   • Dyslipidemias
3. Physiology
   • Origin: liver
   • Function: removes cholesterol from tissue and transports to liver
   • Metabolism: liver

Normal Reference Ranges

1. Adult
   • Male: 40-50 mg/dl [SI: 1-1.3 mmol/L]
     • Desirable: > 60 mg/dL [SI: > 1.55 mmol/L]
   • Female: 50-60 mg/dl [SI: 1.3-1.5 mmol/L]
     • Desirable: > 60 mg/dL [SI: > 1.55 mmol/L]
2. Pediatric: same as adult

Interpretation

1. Low
   • < 40 mg/dL [SI: < 1 mmol/L]
   • General comments
     • Low values associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease
   • Medical causes
     • Lifestyle
       • Excessively high-carbohydrate diets, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, obesity
     • Metabolic
       • Hypoalphalipoproteinemia, hypertriglyceridemia, type 2 DM
     • Hypokalemia
     • Genetic factors
   • Drug causes
     • Androgenic steroids
     • Beta-blockers

Related Tests/Testing Strategies

• Total Cholesterol
• VLDL
• LDL
• Triglycerides
• Apolipoprotein A
• Apolipoprotein B

Technical Information

1. Collection of specimen
   • 12 hr fasting required
   • Use red-top, SST (gold-top), or PST (light green-top) tube
   • Separate serum or plasma
2. Methods/Accuracy: ELISA or spectrophotometry

References

1. In: Pagana K, Pagana T; (eds). Mosby's Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests, 6th ed., Elsevier Health Sciences, 2018
2. In: Leeuwen AMV, Bladh ML; (eds). Davis's Comprehensive Handbook of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests with Nursing Implications, 7th ed., Philadelphia, PA:FA Davis Co, 2017
3. Stone NJ, Robinson JG, Lichtenstein AH, et al. 2013 ACC/AHA guideline on the treatment of blood cholesterol to reduce atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk in adults: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol. Jul 1, 2014;63(25 Pt B):2889-2934
4. In: Wilson D; (eds). Manual of Laboratory & Diagnostic Tests. New York, NY:McGraw Hill, 2008