Test ID: TRIG
Triglycerides, Serum
NY State Approved 
Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.
Useful For Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Evaluation of risk factors in individuals with elevated cholesterol values. Since cholesterol and triglycerides can vary independently, measurement of both is more meaningful than the measurement of cholesterol only.
Special Instructions and Forms Describes specimen collection and preparation information, test algorithms, and other information pertinent to test. Also includes pertinent information and consent forms to be used when requesting a particular test
Method Name A short description of the method used to perform the test
Enzymatic Colorimetric
Reporting Name A shorter/abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test; an abbreviated test name
Specimen Type Describes the specimen type needed for testing
Specimen Required Defines the optimal specimen. This field describes the type of specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing. The volume allows automated processing, fastest throughput and, when indicated, repeat or reflex testing.
Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Fasting-overnight (12-14 hours)
2. Patient must not consume any alcohol for 24 hours before the specimen is drawn.
Specimen Minimum Volume Defines the amount of specimen required to perform an assay once, including instrument and container dead space. Submitting the minimum specimen volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory or perform reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum specimen volume may result in a QNS (quantity not sufficient) result, requiring a second specimen to be collected.
Reject Due To Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected
| Hemolysis | Mild OK; Gross reject |
| Lipemia | NA |
| Icterus | NA |
| Other | NA |
Specimen Stability Information Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the laboratory. Alternate acceptable temperature(s) are also included.
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 7 days |
| Frozen | 90 days |
Clinical Information Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
Triglycerides are esters of the trihydric alcohol glycerol with 3 long-chain fatty acids. They are partly synthesized in the liver and partly derived from the diet.
Increased plasma triglyceride levels are indicative of a metabolic abnormality and, along with elevated cholesterol, are considered a risk factor for atherosclerotic disease. Hyperlipidemia may be inherited or be associated with biliary obstruction, diabetes mellitus, nephrotic syndrome, renal failure, or metabolic disorders related to endocrinopathies. Increased triglycerides may also be medication-induced (eg, prednisone).
Reference Values Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.
The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) has set the following guidelines for lipids (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, and LDL cholesterol) in adults ages 18 and up:
TRIGLYCERIDES
Normal: <150 mg/dL
Borderline high: 150-199 mg/dL
High: 200-499 mg/dL
Very high: > or =500 mg/dL
The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) and National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) has set the following guidelines for lipids (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, and LDL cholesterol) in children ages 2 to 17:
TRIGLYCERIDES
Normal: <90 mg/dL
Borderline high: 90-129 mg/dL
High: > or =130 mg/dL
Also see age- and sex-adjusted reference values in Triglycerides-Percentile Ranking in Lipids and Lipoproteins in Blood Plasma (Serum) in Special Instructions.
Interpretation Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results
In the presence of other coronary heart disease risk factors, both borderline high (150-199 mg/dL) and high values (>200 mg/dL) require attention.
Triglyceride concentrations >1,000 mg/dL can lead to abdominal pain and may be life-threatening due to chylomicron-induced pancreatitis.
Also see Lipids and Lipoproteins in Blood Plasma (Serum) in Special Instructions.
Cautions Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances
No significant cautionary statements
Clinical Reference Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature
1. Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry, Edited by CA Burtis, ER Ashwood. Philadelphia, WB Saunders Company, 1994
2. Rifai N, Warnick GR: Laboratory Measurements of Lipids, Lipoproteins and Apolipoproteins. AACC Press, Washington, DC, 1994
Method Description Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference
Serum triglycerides are measured by an automated enzymatic method. The chemistry includes hydrolysis of the triglycerides and phosphorylation of the resulting glycerol. The method is referenced to the Center of Disease Control standardized method performed in the Cardiovascular Risk Assessment Laboratory. (Package insert: Bayer Triglyceride Reagent, Bayer Diagnostics Corp., Tarrytown, NY; Package insert: Roche Triglyceride Reagent, Roche Diagnostics Corp., Indianapolis)
Day(s) and Time(s) Test Performed Outlines the days and times the test is performed. This field reflects the day and time the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time required before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means assays are performed several times during the day.
Monday through Sunday; Continuously
Analytic Time Defines the amount of time it takes the laboratory to setup and perform the test. This is defined in number of days. The shortest interval of time expressed is "same day/1 day," which means the results may be available the same day that the sample is received in the testing laboratory. One day means results are available 1 day after the sample is received in the laboratory.
Maximum Laboratory Time Defines the maximum time from specimen receipt at Mayo Medical Laboratories until the release of the test result
Specimen Retention Time Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded
Performing Laboratory Location The location of the laboratory that performs the test
Test Classification Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer's instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR), Investigation Use Only (IUO) product, or a Research Use Only (RUO) product.
CPT Code Information Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Medical Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.
84478
LOINC® Code Information Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the result codes returned for this test or profile.
| Result ID | Reporting Name | LOINC Code |
|---|---|---|
| TRIG | Triglycerides, S | 2571-8 |
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