Specimen Requirements

Non-fasting lipid panel specimens are considered acceptable, a recent study showed no difference between fasting and non-fasting LDL for all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality. If a fasting specimen is preferred, Physicians and Providers should inform patients prior to collection. Patients should not eat or drink for 10 hours before the test is performed (small amounts of water or decaffeinated, sugar-free beverages are ok). Patients should not consume alcohol the evening before testing. Diabetic patients should consult their physicians about when to schedule snacks. 

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Preferred:

Specimen Type: Plasma

Container/Tube: Light-green top (lithium heparin gel)

Specimen Volume: 1 mL

Specimen Minimum Volume: 0.5 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Overnight (10 hour) fast.

2. Spin down, separate plasma from cells within 2 hours of draw.

3. Do not ultracentrifuge specimen.

4. Avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles.

Additional Information:

1. If plunger filters are used, immediate removal of plasma is indicated unless an air gap can be created between the device and specimen.

2. Label specimen appropriately (plasma).

Alternate:

Specimen Type: Serum

Container/Tube: Serum gel

Specimen Volume: 1 mL

Specimen Minimum Volume: 0.5 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Overnight (10 hour) fast.

2. Spin down, separate serum from cells within 2 hours of draw.

3. Do not ultracentrifuge specimen.

4. Avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles.

Additional Information:

1. If plunger filters are used, immediate removal of serum is indicated unless an air gap can be created between the device and specimen.

2. Label specimen appropriately (serum).