Triglycerides
Code:8016|CPT:84478|LOINC:2571-8
| Includes | Triglycerides |
|---|
Analysis details
Methodology
- Enzymatic method
- Colorimetric / photometric method
Expected Turnaround Time
1 day
Special Instructions
- Do not eat for 12 hours before the blood draw.
- Avoid vigorous exercise and significant emotional stress before collection.
- Refrain from smoking during the 30 minutes prior to collection.
How to use
The Triglycerides test (TG; blood lipids, neutral fats) is used to evaluate hyperlipidemia, clarify causes of lipemic or turbid serum/plasma, investigate suspected chylomicronemia, and monitor response to dietary modification or lipid-lowering pharmacotherapy. Elevations can accompany hypothyroidism, nephrotic syndrome, carbohydrate-sensitive hypertriglyceridemia, glycogen storage disease, alcohol use disorder, and primary hyperlipoproteinemias (types I, IIb, III, IV, and V). Markedly high triglyceride levels are associated with pancreatitis and may occur with alcohol abuse; increased values are also seen in diabetes mellitus. Triglyceride concentration is required for LDL-C calculation in lipid panels and contributes to overall atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk assessment.
Limitations
Triglycerides are stored primarily in adipose tissue but circulate in blood as part of lipoprotein particles bound to apolipoproteins. After food intake, concentrations rise as surplus energy is esterified and packaged; during fasting, triglycerides are mobilized and oxidized to meet energy needs. In plasma, the major carriers are very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) and chylomicrons. Sustained elevation correlates with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and severe hypertriglyceridemia increases the risk of acute pancreatitis. At very high triglyceride concentrations (>800 mg/dL), calculated LDL cholesterol becomes unreliable.
| Unit | mg/dL | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reference interval |
| ||||
| Indications | Periodic cardiovascular risk evaluation in adults aged ≥20 years as part of a fasting lipid panel, at least every 5 years, Tracking the effect of lipid-lowering medications or reduced dietary fat intake, Evaluation of dyslipidemia in the setting of diabetes mellitus, Assessment in individuals with cardiovascular risk factors, including tobacco use; age (men ≥45 years, women ≥55 years); hypertension (≥140/90 mm Hg); family history of premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (male first-degree relative <55 years, female <65 years); known ischemic heart disease, prior myocardial infarction, or stroke; overweight or obesity; alcohol use disorder; high consumption of animal/saturated fats; and a sedentary lifestyle, Pediatric screening between ages 2–10 years when there is a family history of hypercholesterolemia or premature cardiovascular disease |
Possible Causes of Abnormal Results
Increased levels
- alcohol
- amiodarone
- beta-adrenergic blocking agents
- cholestyramine
- corticosteroids
- estrogens
- furosemide
- high-fat meal
- inadequate fasting
- oral contraceptives
- pregnancy
- spironolactone
- thiazide diuretics
Decreased levels
- metformin
- statins
- strenuous exercise
Specimen Requirements
| Specimen | Serum |
|---|---|
| Container | Gold/Tiger Top (SST, Gel Separator) |
| Volume | 1 mL (min 0.7 mL) |
| Storage Instructions | Room temperature, Refrigerated, Frozen |