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Test Code TRIG1 Triglycerides, Serum


Specimen Required


Patient Preparation: Fasting is preferred but not required unless directed by the ordering provider.

Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Serum gel

Acceptable: Red top

Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL

Collection Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Collection Instructions:

1. Serum gel tubes should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection.

2. Red-top tubes should be centrifuged and the serum aliquoted into a plastic vial within 2 hours of collection.


Useful For

Managing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk

Disease States

  • Hyperlipidemia

Method Name

Enzymatic Colorimetric

Reporting Name

Triglycerides, S

Specimen Type

Serum

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.25 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Serum Refrigerated (preferred) 7 days
  Frozen  90 days

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis Reject

Clinical Information

Triglycerides are oily lipids carried in the blood by lipoproteins. Triglycerides are primarily carried by very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), chylomicrons, and remnant lipoproteins. Recent evidence supports triglycerides as an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Several conditions are associated with increased plasma triglycerides, including obesity, pregnancy, physical inactivity, excess alcohol intake, kidney disease, and diabetes. Elevated triglycerides are often associated with reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, insulin resistance, hypertension, fatty liver disease, and increased waist circumference. In addition to cardiovascular risk, elevated triglycerides confer a risk for acute pancreatitis.

Reference Values

The National Lipid Association and the National Cholesterol Education Program have set the following guidelines for lipids in a context of cardiovascular risk for adults 18 years old and older:

TRIGLYCERIDES

Normal: <150 mg/dL

Borderline High: 150-199 mg/dL

High: 200-499 mg/dL

Very High: ≥500 mg/dL

 

The Expert Panel on Integrated Guidelines for Cardiovascular Health and Risk Reduction in Children and Adolescents has set the following guidelines for lipids in a context of cardiovascular risk for children 2 to 17 years old:

TRIGLYCERIDES

2-9 years:

Acceptable: <75 mg/dL

Borderline High: 75-99 mg/dL

High: ≥100 mg/dL

10-17 years:

Acceptable: <90 mg/dL

Borderline High: 90-129 mg/dL

High: ≥130 mg/dL

Reference values have not been established for patients who are younger than 24 months of age.

For SI unit Reference Values, see https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/order-tests/si-unit-conversion.html

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Sunday

Report Available

1 day

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Test Classification

This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.

CPT Code Information

84478