Lipid Profile, Blood – Saskatoon
Discipline
Biochemistry
Overview
Description
Ordering recommendation
- Laboratory does not require a fasting specimen. The needs for fasting or non-fasting lipid testing will be made at the discretion of the ordering physicians. In all cases, fasting hours must be indicated on the lab requisition.
Alias
- Total cholesterol
- Triglycerides
- HDL-cholesterol
- LDL-cholesterol
- Non-HDL-cholesterol
Specimen Information
Specimen types accepted
- Plasma
Specimen collection container
- Preferred collection container: Light Green (Lithium Heparin gel)
- Alternative collection container: Gold (gel)
Required volume
- Optimal volume: 4.5 mL Full collection tube
- Minimum/Pediatric Volume: 1.0 mL
(Submitting the minimum volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory/reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum volume may require a second collection.)
Transport and stability
- 4 hours on cells
- 7 days at 2 – 8°C
Rejection criteria
- Specimens received where the proper collection protocols were not followed
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Acceptance and Rejection Criteria
Performance
Methodology
- Enzymatic, colorimetric
Days/times performed
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Maximum laboratory time
Results reporting
- In hospital reported within 2 hours
- Community urgent and inter-hospital reported within 4 hours
- Community routine reported within 24 hours
Specimen retention time
- 3 days
Other information
Additional information
- Test includes total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and non-HDL-cholesterol.
- Non-HDL-cholesterol is calculated using the formula: non-HDL-C=Total Cholesterol minus HDL-cholesterol.
- For patients 30 yrs old of age or older, the Framingham Risk Scores (FRS), modified for family history, is recommended for risk assessment (2016 CCS Guideline).
- Please refer to 2016 Guideline for pharmacological treatment indications and targets.
- For individuals with a history of triglyceride levels > 4.5 mmol/L, the lipid levels should be measured fasting (2016 CCS Guideline, Can J Cardiol 216).
- Further details regarding the implementation of non-fasting lipid have been communicated through the Saskatchewan Health Authority Laboratory Bulletin.
Last Updated: March 13, 2026