Clinical
Indications |
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High
serum triglyceride concentrations are probably an independent
(of cholesterol) risk factor for coronary heart disease. Very
high levels (>10 mmol/L) confer a risk of pancreatitis.
Triglycerides circulate in blood as components of various
lipoproteins, particularly very light density lipoproteins
(VLDL) and chylomicrons.
If drug treatment is considered appropriate in
hypercholesterolaemia, the choice of drug may be influenced by
the additional presence of high trigyceride levels.
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Part of
Profile |
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Lipids
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Request Form |
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Combined Pathology Blood form
(Yellow/Black)
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Availability |
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On request.
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Patient
Preparation |
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Patients must fast for 10 hours prior to blood collection (for
follow up tests diabetic patients may not need to fast, but
levels may be increased as a result of recent food intake).
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Turnaround
Time |
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Same day
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Specimen |
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Serum
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Volume |
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2 ml
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Container |
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Yellow top (SST) tube
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Causes for
Rejection |
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Unlabelled sample.
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Reference
Range |
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Fasting:
0.35 - 1.80 mmol/L
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Interpretation |
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High
triglyceride levels may be genetic or acquired due to drugs
e.g. thiazides, corticosteroids, diabetes, obesity, or excess
alcohol.
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Critical Difference |
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0.9
mmol/L
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Unit
Conversion |
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To convert from mmol/L to mg/dL
multiply by 88.5
To convert from mg/dL to mmol/L
multiply by 0.0113
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