Triglyceride level Health Article

Definition

The triglyceride level is a laboratory test to measure the amount of triglycerides in your blood. Triglycerides are a type of fat.

Your body makes some triglycerides. Triglycerides also come from the food you eat. When you eat, your body uses calories for immediate energy. Leftover calories are turned into triglycerides and stored in fat cells for later use. If you eat more calories than your body needs, your triglyceride level may be high.

See also:

• Low density lipoprotein test
• High density lipoprotein test
• High blood cholesterol and triglycerides
• Total cholesterol test

Alternative Names

Triacylglycerol test

How the test is performed

Blood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.

Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm.

Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.

In infants or young children, a sharp tool called a lancet may be used to puncture the skin and make it bleed. The blood collects into a small glass tube called a pipette, or onto a slide or test strip. A bandage may be placed over the area if there is any bleeding.

How to prepare for the test

You should not eat for 8 to 12 hours before the test.

Certain drugs may affect test results. Make sure your doctor knows what medicines you take, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements. Your doctor may tell you to temporarily stop taking certain medicines. Never stop taking any medicine without first talking to your doctor.

Drugs that can increase triglyceride measurements include cholestyramine, estrogens, and birth control pills.

Drugs that can decrease triglyceride measurements include ascorbic acid, asparaginase, clofibrate, colestipol, fenofibrate, fish oil, gemfibrozil, nicotinic acid, and statin medications.