Triglyceride

Message

Performing Lab: Central Lab, Hudson, Lakeview, Regions, Sartell, Westfields

Test Code

0130

Alias/See Also

Sunquest: TRIG

CPT Codes
84478

Preferred Specimen

0.2 mL Lithium Heparin Plasma (light green-top) tube

Minimum Volume

0.1 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Serum (gold-top, red-top, red/gray-top), Lithium Heparin (light green-top) on ICE

Instructions

Collection: Fasting specimens are recommended (Nothing consumed in the past 12 hours except water)

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated

Specimen Stability

Room Temperature: 3 days
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 6 months

Setup Schedule

Hospital: Daily
Clinics: Monday - Friday

Report Available

Same Day

Limitations

Some drugs used in the treatment of lipemia also produce elevated glycerol levels. Triglyceride results from samples of such patients will not reflect the actual triglyceride content.

Reference Range

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

Clinical Significance

Triglycerides, fatty acid esters of glycerol, represent the major form of fat found in the body; their primary function is to store and provide cellular energy. The concentration of triglycerides in the plasma at any given time is a balance between the rates of entry and removal. Triglyceride concentrations in the plasma vary with age and gender. Moderate increases occur during growth and development. Triglycerides are used for the evaluation of hyperlipidemias; high concentrations may occur with hypothyroidism, nephrotic syndrome, glycogen storage diseases, and diabetes mellitus. Extremely high triglyceride concentrations are common in acute pancreatitis.

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.