Triglycerides

Test Code

896

CPT Codes
84478

Preferred Specimen

1 mL serum collected in a SST^®red-top (serum separator tube)

Patient Preparation
Triglyceride test only: Patient should fast 9-12 hours prior to collection.
As part of lipid panel testing: A fasting sample is not required.

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Plasma collected in a sodium heparin (green-top) or lithium heparin (green-top) tube

Transport Temperature

Room temperature

Specimen Stability

Serum and plasma
Room temperature: 5 days
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 28 days

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Anticoagulants other than heparin

Methodology
Spectrophotometry (SP)

Setup Schedule

P.M. Sets up 5 days a week.

Clinical Significance

Serum triglyceride analysis has proven useful in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with diabetes mellitus, nephrosis, liver obstruction, other diseases involving lipid metabolism, and various endocrine disorders. In conjunction with high density lipoprotein and total serum cholesterol, a triglyceride determination provides valuable information for the assessment of coronary heart disease risk.

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.