Turnaround times
The quoted turnaround time is from sample receipt in the laboratory, to results authorisation in the Laboratory Information Management system. The times do not include transport of specimen to the laboratory or the administrative process to print and post/email reports. Service users must allow for transport and reporting time when ordering tests.
Clinical background:
Measurement of plasma triglyceride is important in the characterisation of hyperlipidaemia and the assessment of cardiovascular risk. Triglyceride circulates mainly in the VLDL lipoproteins in the fasting state (12 to 14 hours), but IDL and chylomicron remnants may also make a contribution when triglyceride is moderately elevated (1.9-5.0mmol/l).
Triglyceride concentrations increase 2-4 fold after a meal and due to the appearance of chylomicrons and an increase in VLDL. Moderate hypertriglyceridaemia is frequently associated with low HDL cholesterol, atherogenic small dense LDL and other features of insulin resistance including obesity, glucose intolerance and diabetes mellitus, hyperuricaemia and hypertension. Other causes of hypertriglyceridaemia include alcohol abuse, renal disease, beta blocker drugs, oestrogens, pregnancy and hypothyroidism, all of which may result in severe hypertriglyceridaemia (>5.0mmol/l).
Rarely, inherited lipoprotein lipase deficiency may be the cause of severe hypertriglyceridaemia. Chylomicrons are usually present when triglyceride is >10 mmol/l. There is an increasing risk of pancreatitis with worsening chylomicronaemia, particularly when triglyceride concentration rises to >20 mmol/l and urgent intervention is then required to control triglyceride levels if pancreatitis is to be prevented. Note that when the serum is usually grossly lipaemic, normal amylase does not exclude pancreatitis.
Specimen container paediatric:
Serum (SST or plain tube)
Specimen container adult:
Serum (SST or plain tube)
Minimum volume paediatric:
0.5 mL blood
Minimum volume adult:
1 mL blood
Special requirements:
Fasting sample recommended
Sample stability:
Unseparated sample: 7 days
Separated sample: at +15° to +25°C – 2 days
at +2° to +8°C – 10 days
at -25°C to -15°C – 3 months
Reference ranges:
Refer to NEELI guidelinesOther info:
Lithium heparin and EDTA plasma samples also acceptable