Lipids & ApoB
TriglyceridesTG
Reflects VLDL/chylomicron remnants; a metabolic-syndrome and pancreatitis marker.
Sample
Serum, fasting (12 h) for accurate values
Clinical reference range
— to 150 mg/dL
Optimal
Conv: —–150 mg/dLFunc: —–100 mg/dL
Biology
What it measures
Esterified glycerol-fatty acid molecules transported in VLDL and chylomicrons. Reflects energy intake, hepatic lipogenesis, and lipoprotein-lipase activity.
Clinical use
Why we order it
Metabolic syndrome screen; pancreatitis prevention at very high values.
Lens · Clinical
Interpretation by lens
Clinical interpretation
TG >500 mg/dL: start fibrate or omega-3 to prevent pancreatitis. TG/HDL ratio >3 (mg/dL) is a useful insulin-resistance proxy.
Differential
Causes of abnormal values
Causes of HIGH
- ↑Insulin resistance
- ↑Excess alcohol
- ↑Familial hypertriglyceridemia
- ↑Hypothyroidism
- ↑Nephrotic syndrome
- ↑Estrogens, retinoids, atypical antipsychotics
Causes of LOW
- ↓Malabsorption
- ↓Hyperthyroidism
- ↓Severe liver disease
Pitfalls
Pre-analytic & interpretation traps
- !Non-fasting TG can be 50–100 mg/dL higher than fasting; use fasting when TG >200.
Related