Triglycerides, serum
Clinical Background:
Measurement of plasma triglyceride is important in the characterisation of hyperlipidaemia and the assessment of cardiovascular risk. Triglyceride circulates mainly in the VLDL lipoproteins in the ...
Measurement of plasma triglyceride is important in the characterisation of hyperlipidaemia and the assessment of cardiovascular risk. Triglyceride circulates mainly in the VLDL lipoproteins in the fasting state (12-14 hours), but IDL and chylomicron remnants may also make a contribution when triglyceride is moderately elevated (1.9-5.0mmol/l).
Triglyceride concentrations increase 2-4 fold after a meal and due to the appearance of chylomicrons and an increase in VLDL. Moderate hypertriglyceridaemia is frequently associated with low HDL cholesterol, atherogenic small dense LDL and other features of insulin resistance including obesity, glucose intolerance and diabetes mellitus, hyperuricaemia and hypertension. Other causes of hypertriglyceridaemia include alcohol abuse, renal disease, beta blocker drugs, oestrogens, pregnancy and hypothyroidism, all of which may result in severe hypertriglyceridaemia (>5.0mmol/l).
Rarely, inherited lipoprotein lipase deficiency may be the cause of severe hypertriglyceridaemia. Chylomicrons are usually present when triglyceride is >10 mmol/l. There is an increasing risk of pancreatitis with worsening chylomicronaemia, particularly when triglyceride concentration rises to >20 mmol/l and urgent intervention is then required to control triglyceride levels if pancreatitis is to be prevented. Note that when the serum is usually grossly lipaemic, normal amylase does not exclude pancreatitis.
Test Details
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Discipline:
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
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Specimen Container Adult:
Serum (SST or plain tube)
Serum (SST or plain tube)
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Specimen Container Paediatric:
Serum (SST or plain tube)
Serum (SST or plain tube)
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Minimum Volume Adult:
1 mL blood
1 mL blood
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Minimum Volume Paediatric:
0.5 mL blood
0.5 mL blood
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Special Requirement:
Fasting sample recommended
Fasting sample recommended
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Sample Stability:
Unseparated sample: 7 days
Separated sample:at +15° to +25°C - 2 days
...
at +2° to +8°C - 10 days
at -25°C to -15°C - 3 monthsRead MoreUnseparated sample: 7 days
Separated sample:at +15° to +25°C - 2 days
at +2° to +8°C - 10 days
at -25°C to -15°C - 3 months -
Reference Ranges:
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Other Info:
Lithium heparin and EDTA plasma samples also acceptable
Lithium heparin and EDTA plasma samples also acceptable
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Routine Contact Name:
Duty Biochemist
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Routine Telephone:
Freeman: 0191 244 8889
RVI: 0191 282 9719Freeman: 0191 244 8889
RVI: 0191 282 9719 -
Routine Email: