Triglycerides

CPT Code(s):
84478

Turnaround Time:
4 hours

Specimen Requirements

Preferred Specimen:
Serum

Minimum Volume:
1.0 mL

Transport Container:
Serum Separator Tube (SST) or Red Top Tube

Transport Temperature:
Room Temperature

Collection Instructions:
Allow blood to clot completely prior to centrifugation. Separate serum from cells within 45 minutes of collection.

Rejection Criteria:
Citrate, Fluoride,Sodium Heparin specimen; gross hemolysis; lipemia; improper labeling

Stability Criteria

Room Temperature:
8 hours

Refrigerated:
7 days

Frozen:
90 days

Clinical Significance

Triglycerides has specific clinical significance and diagnostic use in assessing a patient's lipid profile and evaluating their cardiovascular health. Here are some key points regarding its clinical significance:

1. Lipid Assessment: Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the blood. Triglyceride is used to measure the level of triglycerides in the bloodstream, providing valuable information about a patient's lipid profile. It is often performed as part of a comprehensive lipid panel along with other tests such as cholesterol measurements.

2. Cardiovascular Risk Assessment: Elevated triglyceride levels have been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke. Triglyceride helps identify individuals who may be at higher risk and allows healthcare providers to implement appropriate preventive measures and lifestyle modifications to reduce the risk.

3. Monitoring Lipid Management: For patients with known lipid disorders or those undergoing lipid-lowering treatments such as medications or lifestyle modifications, regular Triglyceride testing is essential to monitor the effectiveness of these interventions. It helps healthcare providers assess treatment response and adjust therapy if necessary to achieve target triglyceride levels.

4. Identification of Secondary Causes: High triglyceride levels can also be indicative of underlying health conditions such as diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, or certain genetic disorders. Triglyceride assists in the identification of these secondary causes, allowing for further investigation and management of the underlying conditions.

5. Treatment Decision Making: Triglyceride levels are considered when determining treatment strategies for dyslipidemia. In combination with other lipid measurements, Triglyceride helps guide healthcare providers in making treatment decisions, such as the initiation of lipid-lowering medications, lifestyle modifications, and dietary recommendations.

6. Overall Cardiovascular Health Assessment: Triglyceride, along with other lipid profile measurements, provides a comprehensive assessment of a patient's cardiovascular health. It helps evaluate the overall lipid status and assists in the estimation of the individual's cardiovascular risk, aiding in the development of personalized management plans.

In summary, Triglycerides is clinically significant in assessing a patient's lipid profile, identifying individuals at higher cardiovascular risk, monitoring treatment response, identifying underlying health conditions, guiding treatment decisions, and evaluating overall cardiovascular health. It plays a crucial role in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of cardiovascular diseases, enabling healthcare providers to implement appropriate interventions and promote better patient outcomes.