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HelpTest Code TGLBF Triglycerides, Body Fluid
Reporting Name
Triglycerides, BFUseful For
Distinguishing between chylous and nonchylous effusions
Measurement of triglycerides in body fluids as a surrogate for chylomicrons
Method Name
Colorimetry
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Specimen Type
Body FluidOrdering Guidance
For help distinguishing between chylous and nonchylous effusions, order BFLA1 / Lipid Analysis, Body Fluid. The body fluid will be tested for cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations and undergo lipoprotein electrophoresis.
Necessary Information
1. Date and time of collection is required.
2. Specimen source is required.
Specimen Required
Specimen Type: Body fluid
Preferred Source:
-Peritoneal fluid (peritoneal, abdominal, ascites, paracentesis)
-Pleural fluid (pleural, chest, thoracentesis)
-Drain fluid (drainage, Jackson Pratt [JP] drain)
-Pericardial Fluid
Acceptable Source: Write in source name with source location (if appropriate)
Collection Container/Tube: Sterile container
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Centrifuge to remove any cellular material and transfer into a plastic vial.
2. Indicate the specimen source and source location on label.
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body Fluid | Frozen (preferred) | 30 days | |
| Refrigerated | 7 days | ||
| Ambient | 24 hours |
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | Reject |
| Gross lipemia | OK |
| Gross icterus | Reject |
| Anticoagulant or additive, amniotic fluid, breast milk, saliva, sputum, synovial fluid, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) or bronchial washings, colostomy, ostomy, feces, cerebrospinal fluid, gastric secretions, nasal secretions, urine, vitreous | Reject |
Reference Values
An interpretive report will be provided.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday
CPT Code Information
84478
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| TGLBF | Triglycerides, BF | 12228-3 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| FLD25 | Fluid Type: | 14725-6 |
| BFTGL | Triglycerides (BF) | 12228-3 |
Clinical Information
Triglyceride concentration in body fluids is correlated to the presence of chylomicrons and can be useful when diagnosing chylous effusion or differentiating from pseudochylous effusion.(1) Chylous effusions are characterized by the presence of chyle which contains chylomicrons circulating through the lymphatic system. Pseudochylous effusions do not have chylomicrons. These fluids have a milky appearance and can be confused with chylous effusions. While chylous effusions often have elevated triglyceride concentrations and decreased cholesterol concentrations, identification of chylomicrons is considered the gold standard for the diagnosis.
Pleural fluid:
Chylothorax is the name given to pleural effusions containing chylomicrons. They develop when chyle accumulates from disruption of the lymphatic system, often the thoracic duct, caused mainly by malignancy or trauma.(1) Lymph contains chylomicron rich chyle characterized by high concentrations of triglycerides. Pseudochylous effusions are the name given to milky appearing effusions that do not contain lymphatic contents but rather form gradually through the breakdown of cellular lipids in long-standing effusions such as rheumatoid pleuritis, tuberculosis, or myxedema and by definition the effluent contains high concentrations of cholesterol.(2) Differentiation of pseudochylothorax from chylothorax is important as their milky or opalescent appearance is similar, however therapeutic management strategies differ.
Peritoneal fluid:
Chylous ascites is the name given to peritoneal effusions containing chylomicrons. Obstruction of lymph flow causing leakage from dilated subserosal lymphatics, exudation through the walls of retroperitoneal megalymphatics, and direct leakage of chyle due to a lymphoperitoneal fistula have been proposed as possible mechanisms causing chylous ascites.(3) Elevated triglyceride concentrations have the best correlation with detection of chylomicrons, while cholesterol is not useful at predicting the presence or absence of chylomicrons.
Interpretation
Pleural fluid triglyceride concentrations over 110 mg/dL are consistent with a chylous effusion. Triglyceride concentrations below 50 mg/dL are usually not due to chylous effusions.(1)
Peritoneal fluid triglyceride concentrations over 187 mg/dL are most consistent with chylous effusion.(3)
Cautions
Dicynone (Etamsylate) at therapeutic concentrations may lead to false-low results.
Acetaminophen intoxications are frequently treated with N-acetylcysteine.
N-acetylcysteine at a plasma concentration above 166 mg/L and the acetaminophen metabolite, N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine may independently cause falsely low results.
In very rare cases, gammopathy, in particular type IgM (Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia), may cause unreliable results.
Method Description
Samples analyzed for triglycerides are measured by an automated enzymatic method. The chemistry includes hydrolysis of the triglycerides and phosphorylation of the resulting glycerol.(Package insert: Roche Triglycerides Reagent. Roche Diagnostics Corp; V13.0, 03/2022)