Triglycerides

Evaluate turbid samples of blood, plasma, and serum; work up of chylomicronemia; evaluate hyperlipidemia; occasional cases of diabetes mellitus and/or pancreatitis are detected by hypertriglyceridemia. High levels may occur with hypothyroidism, nephrotic syndromes, carbohydrate-sensitive hypertriglyceridemia, glycogen storage disease, and in hyperlipoproteinemias type I, IIb, III, IV, and V. Some alcoholics have hypertriglyceridemia which disappears with abstinence. Extremely high triglyceride levels may occur with alcohol abuse. Triglyceride is needed for calculation of LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) concentration. Disturbances in triglyceride metabolism relate to diabetes and are a risk factor for atherosclerotic disease, but not an independent one.¹

Although the role of hypertriglyceridemia as a risk factor for coronary arterial disease has been controversial, a more consistent association for women exists and analysis of preliminary data supports triglyceride levels as a predictor in men with lower LDL cholesterol levels² and with cholesterol values <220 mg/dL.³

In familial combined hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia may be found before hypercholesterolemia. Nevertheless, a strong case is not available for primary triglyceride evaluation of healthy persons without positive family history of coronary disease or other risk factors. Some knowledgeable authorities favor testing with lipid panels, including triglycerides, for reasons discussed elsewhere in this listing.

In exogenous hypertriglyceridemia, chylomicrons float as a layer in the tube of refrigerated, stored serum.