Background
High density lipoproteins (HDL) are responsible for the reverse transport of cholesterol from the peripheral cells to the liver. Here cholesterol is transformed to bile acids which are excreted into the intestine via the biliary tract. Monitoring of HDL-cholesterol in serum is of clinical importance since an inverse correlation exists between serum HDL-cholesterol concentrations and the risk of atherosclerotic disease.
Elevated HDL-cholesterol concentrations protect against heart disease, while reduced HDL-cholesterol concentrations, particularly in conjunction with elevated triglycerides, increase the cardiovascular risk.
Reference ranges
There has been no study done on the reference ranges for our local population, BCL have produced expected values for this assay, these refer to the risk of atherosclerotic disease. These are listed below, but are not printed on patient reports as per users request.
Male:
High risk: < 0.90mmol/L
Moderate risk: 0.90-1.45 mmol/L
No risk: > 1.45 mmol/L
Female:
High risk: Moderate risk: 1.15-1.68 mmol/L
No risk: > 1.68mmol/L
Specimen requirements
Serum or lithium heparin plasma. The specimen should be fasting.
Turnaround time
2 hours