Specimen:

Plasma

Collection Medium:

Alternate
Collection Media:

Call laboratory for additional acceptable specimen collection 
containers.

Minimum:

2 mls whole blood in light green top tube or 1 microtube for pediatric 
patients

Testing
Schedule:

24 hrs/day, 7 days a week, including holidays.

Analytic Time:

2 hours (upon receipt in laboratory)

Reference Range:

Normal:  < 150 mg/dL
Borderline High:  150-199 mg/dL
High:  200-499 mg/dL
Very High:  > or = 500 mg/dL

To convert triglyceride values to mm/L, divide by 88.6.

Comments:

Patient must have fasted for 12 hours.

Please print, complete and submit the Advance Beneficiary Notice 
(ABN) along with the Laboratory Requisition before shipping the 
specimen.

Test
Limitations:

Serum/Plasma
Icterus: Significant negative interference at an I index of greater 
than 25 and greater than 15 (approximate conjugated and unconjugated 
bilirubin concentration: 25 and 15 mg/dL).

Hemolysis: No significant interference up to an H index of 400 
(approximate hemoglobin concentration: 400 mg/dL).

Lipemia (Intralipid): The L index correlates with sample turbidity and 
not to triglycerides level. Serum samples having extremely elevated 
triglycerides (greater than 3000 mg/dL) are underestimated by the 
Triglycerides/GB methodology and could produce a normal result on an 
elevated sample.*  Prior to being tested for triglycerides, dilute 
grossly lipemic sera 1 part serum to 4 parts 0.9% NaCl and multiply the 
results by 5. For the 911, 912 and 917 analyzers, run with decreased 
samplevolume. Not all samples having this level of triglycerides are 
grossly lipemic.

*Shephard MDS, Whiting MJ. Clin Chem. 1990;36(2):325-329.

Methodology:

Enzymatic

Sample
Processing:

Centrifuge at 3000 RPM for 10 minutes.
Aliquot plasma into labeled container and cap.

Sample
Storage:

Refrigerate.

Transport
Instructions:

Place specimen into zip-lock type bag, seal bag.
Place requisition into outside pocket of bag.
Ship ambient or refrigerate.

Instructions:

Patient must fast 10-12 hours prior to drawing.

CPT Code:

84478

See Additional Information:
Fasting Specimen Requirements