From the Guidelines
Triglycerides are measured through a simple blood test called a lipid panel or lipid profile, which requires fasting for 9-12 hours before the test to get accurate results, as recommended by the most recent and highest quality study 1.
Importance of Fasting
To get accurate results, it is essential to fast for 9-12 hours before the test, consuming only water during this time. The test involves a healthcare professional drawing blood from a vein in your arm, which is then analyzed in a laboratory.
Results and Interpretation
Results are typically reported in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or millimoles per liter (mmol/L). Normal triglyceride levels are less than 150 mg/dL, while borderline high levels range from 150-199 mg/dL, high levels from 200-499 mg/dL, and very high levels at 500 mg/dL or above, as suggested by 1.
Risk Factors and Screening
Your doctor may recommend regular triglyceride testing as part of routine health screenings, especially if you have risk factors for heart disease, diabetes, or a family history of high triglycerides. The test is important because elevated triglycerides can contribute to atherosclerosis, increasing your risk of heart disease and stroke, as highlighted in 1.
Key Considerations
- Fasting is crucial for accurate results, as eating can temporarily increase triglyceride levels, potentially leading to inaccurate results.
- Triglyceride measurement has the advantage that it is a direct, precise, and accurate measurement of all triglycerides in plasma, as noted in 1.
- Remnant cholesterol can be estimated as total cholesterol minus LDL cholesterol minus HDL cholesterol, which is a more appropriate measure of atherosclerotic risk, as suggested by 1.
From the Research
Measurement of Triglycerides
- The measurement of triglycerides (TG) is typically performed as part of a lipid profile, which includes the measurement of cholesterol, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol, and calculation of the non-HDL cholesterol concentration 2.
- Blood tests for lipid profiles can be performed in a non-fasting state, except in special situations, such as hypertriglyceridemia 2, 3.
- Non-fasting triglycerides have been shown to be superior to fasting triglycerides in predicting cardiovascular risk 3.
- The measurement of triglycerides is usually performed using a blood sample, and the results are expressed in millimoles per liter (mmol/L) or milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) 4, 5.
Methods for Measuring Triglycerides
- The most common method for measuring triglycerides is by enzymatic assay, which involves the use of enzymes to break down the triglycerides into glycerol and fatty acids, which are then measured 5.
- Other methods for measuring triglycerides include gas-liquid chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) 6.
- The choice of method depends on the laboratory and the specific requirements of the test.
Factors Affecting Triglyceride Measurement
- Factors that can affect the measurement of triglycerides include non-fasting status, posture, diet, and alcohol intake 5.
- It is important to control these factors to ensure accurate measurement of triglycerides.
- The use of accurate calibrators and the elimination of matrix effects are also important in ensuring accurate measurement of triglycerides 5.