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Lipoprotein Electrophoresis
Also known as : [Lipid electrophoresis]

Plasma/Serum
Test performed by: LabPLUS VIM Proteins


This test may be vetted by a pathologist.

The clinical information for the test must be clearly written on the request form. If clinical information is not provided, or does not provide sufficient justification for the test, the test may be declined.

Declined tests :

If a test is declined, the specimen will be held for a reasonable period (usually 3 weeks but dependant on the stability of the sample). Medical practitioners seeking approval for a declined test should email the on-call Chemical Pathologist ( chemicalpathologist@adhb.govt.nz ) , giving the patient's name and NHI number and the clinical justification for the test. If unable to email, call the on-call Chemical Pathologist via Lablink (09-3078995) and identify yourself as a doctor.  

Test vetting policy

Specimen Collection

Other fluids may be assayed after discussion with the laboratory.


Plain4 mL Plain Blood (Fasting)

Patient MUST be fasting

Do not send to laboratory on Fridays (unreliable results if stored over weekend).
 


Turnaround Time: Within 3 days
Diagnostic Use and Interpretation

Lipoprotein electrophoresis interpretations : Fredrickson Classification 

Type of Hyperlipidemia

Normal

Type I

Type IIa

Type IIb

Type III

Type IV

Type V

Total Cholesterol

Normal (<5.0 mmol/L)

Normal or

slightly increased

High

High

High

Normal to High

Normal or High

Triglycerides

Normal (<2.0 mmol/L)

Very High

Normal

High

High

High

Very high

Serum Appearance

Clear

Creamy layer over

clear plasma

Clear

Clear- slightly turbid

Slightly turbid to turbid

Clear , turbid or milky

Creamy layer over

milky plasma

Electrophoresis Appearance

Chylomicrons

Absent

Present

Absent

Absent

Absent

Absent

Present

LDL

Present

Normal

Increased

Increased

Broad band*

Normal

Normal

VLDL

Absent

Absent

Absent

Present

Increased

Present

HDL

Present

Normal

Normal

Normal

Normal

Normal

Normal

* Appears as broad band that includes LDL and VLDL

In most instances, classification can be made without recourse to lipoprotein electrophoresis.  This classification is based on the concentrations of total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol and an examination of the appearance of the specimen.

 References

1  C.W. N.Z.J. Med. Lab. Tech. (1985), 39, 162-164.

2  Amer.Med.Assn. (1985), 253, 2080-2086.

3  Schaefer E.T. and Levy R.I. New England J. Med. (1985), 312, 1300-1310.


Contact Information

Emails to chemicalpathologist@adhb.govt.nz will receive priority attention from the on-call chemical pathologist.

If the query concerns a specific patient please include the NHI number in your email.

If email is not a suitable option, please contact the on-call chemical pathologist via Lablink (Auckland City Hospital ext. 22000 or 09-3078995).

Individual chemical pathologists may be contacted but will not be available at all times. 

After-hours : contact  Lablink (Auckland City Hospital ext. 22000 or 09-3078995) or hospital operator for on duty staff after hours.


Dr Cam Kyle (Clinical Head): CampbellK@adhb.govt.nz   ext 22052 

Dr Weldon Chiu: WeldonC@adhb.govt.nz   ext. 23427 

Dr Leah Ha: LHa@adhb.govt.nz  ext. 23427

Dr Samarina Musaad: SamarinaM@adhb.govt.nz ext. 22402 

Dr Leo Lam: ChiSingL@adhb.govt.nz  ext 22574



Last updated at 09:27:36 12/01/2022