Serum Cholesterol (Total)
This test measures the total amount of cholesterol in your blood serum. Cholesterol is a type of fat that your body needs for many functions, but high levels can increase your risk of heart disease.
["Check your cholesterol levels to help prevent heart disease and maintain heart health."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 103115-2
- Short code
- Cashew rAna o3 IgE
- Synonyms
- Cashew nut (rAna o) 3 IgE RAST
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Serum separator tube (SST) or red-top vacuum tube; avoid gel separator interference tubes when possible
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 0
- Ref high
- 0.35
- Critical range
- — – 500 N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 0–120 years
- Method
- Radioallergosorbent test (RAST) detecting IgE antibodies against recombinant cashew nut allergen component rAna o 3 using solid-phase immunoassay with radiolabeled anti-IgE detection
- CPT
- 86003
- SNOMED
- 39579001
- Specimen volume
- 0.5-1.0 mL serum (minimum 0.3 mL); pediatric minimum 0.2 mL
- Stability
- Serum stable at room temperature for 8 hours; refrigerated at 2-8°C for 7 days; frozen at -20°C or below for up to 6 months. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
- Hemolysis max
- 100
- Lipemia max
- 100
- Icterus max
- 50
- TAT
- 24–72 hours
- Order
- routine
Why This Test Matters
Cholesterol is essential for cell membranes, hormone production, and vitamin D synthesis. However, too much cholesterol in your blood can build up in your arteries, leading to plaque formation and increasing the risk of heart attacks or strokes. Regular cholesterol screening helps doctors monitor your cardiovascular health and guide treatment if needed.
What to Expect Before the Test
No special preparation is usually required, but your doctor may ask you to fast (not eat or drink) for 12 hours before the test. You’ll have a small needle inserted into your arm to draw blood. The process is quick and typically painless.
How the Test Works
Blood is drawn from a vein in your arm and sent to a lab. There, cholesterol is separated from other blood components and measured using a chemical method that detects its presence and concentration.
What the Results Mean
Results are reported as a total cholesterol number (in mg/dL). While specific reference ranges vary by lab, higher-than-normal levels may signal the need for lifestyle changes, diet adjustments, or medication to manage your cholesterol.
Reference range
Negative: <0.35 kU/L; Equivocal: 0.35-0.70 kU/L; Positive: >0.70 kU/L. Results reported as Presence (Detected/Not Detected) with quantitative titer for clinical correlation.N/A
No special preparation required. Patient should continue antihistamine use as prescribed, as antihistamines do not interfere with IgE antibody detection. Avoid sample collection during acute anaphylaxis when possible for baseline assessment.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Clinical Significance
Short name
Total Cholesterol
Frequently asked questions
How often should I get this test?
What does a high cholesterol level mean?
Can diet or exercise change my cholesterol results?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 17, 2026. · Read our editorial policy