Triglycerides

Label Mnemonic:	TRIG
Epic code:	LAB134
Downtime form:	Doctor/Provider Orders - Pathology Core and Specialty Care Nursery

Chemistry
6240 RCP
356-3527

Specimen(s):

Plasma

Collection Medium:

Plasma Separator Tube 4.5 mL

Alternate Collection Media:

Call laboratory for additional acceptable specimen collection containers.

Minimum:

3 mL whole blood in light green top tube or ONE Microtainer^® for pediatric patients.

Testing Schedule:

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

Turn Around Time:

1 hour (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:

Fasting for at least 12 hours prior to collection is recommended.

This test is also performed in the Iowa River Landing (IRL) clinical laboratory (for specimens drawn at that site).

Test Limitations:

Serum/Plasma
Icterus: Significant negative interference can occur with I index 
above 10 for conjugated bilirubin and above 35 for unconjugated 
bilirubin (approximate conjugated bilirubin concentration of 10 mg/dL 
or approximate unconjugated bilirubin concentration of 35 mg/dL).

Hemolysis: No significant interference up to an H index of 700 
(approximate hemoglobin concentration: 700 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) can produce a normal result.*  

High concentrations of unesterified glycerol in the sample can produce 
falsely elevated results.  This can occur in rare inborn errors of 
glycerol metabolism (e.g., glycerol kinase deficiency).  In very rare 
cases gammopathy, in particular type IgM Walderstroms 
macroglobulinemia, may cause unreliable results.

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

Methodology:

Enzymatic Colorimetric

CPT Code:

84478

See also:
Triglycerides-Other, Body Fluid

See Additional Information:
Fasting Specimen Requirements