Triglyceride Tests

Triglycerides and cholesterol tests are blood tests that measure the amount of lipid in your bloodstream. These tests are usually done as part of a routine physical exam, to determine the chance of heart disease. If your family has a history of heart problems it’s wise to go to your local doctor and ask for a triglyceride test.

To get the most accurate result it’s best if:

• You don’t drink anything except water for 9-12 hours before having your blood test.

• You don’ eat for 12 hours before having blood drawn (.This allows the triglycerides from you food to be completely eliminated).

• You don’t eat foods high in saturated fat for a day before your blood test.

• You don’t drink alcohol for 48 hours before your blood test.

• You don’t exercise strenuously the day of the test.

The blood sample is taken from a vein in your arm. When getting your test the doctor or nurse will wrap a band around your upper arm to stop the flow of blood. This makes the veins below the band larger so it’s easier for the doctor or nurse to insert the needle, and less painful for the patient. After the area has been cleaned with alcohol the needle is put into the vein where blood is collected into a vial attached to the needle. Once enough blood has been collected the band around your upper arm is removed a gauze pad and band aid is put on the needle site once the needle is removed, and your test is over. Some may feel a bit uneasy as the band cuts off blood flow to their arm and their may be a sting or prick from the needle. However, the test only lasts between 1-2 minutes and pain after blood is drawn is very rare. After your test is complete it can take up to a week for your blood sample to be sent to a lab and checked but once back your doctor will let you know your results.

Triglycerides, like cholesterol, are measured in mg/dl in the USA and in mm/l in most of the rest of the world, but the conversion factor for triglycerides is different from the one for cholesterol.

Triglyceride levels can change quite dramatically in response to food. They can increase to 5-10 times higher than fasting levels just a few hours after a meal.

It would be abnormal to have high triglyceride levels and not also have elevated cholesterol levels. Most treatments for heart disease risk will be aimed at lowering LDL cholesterol. However, the type of treatment used to lower LDL cholesterol may differ depending on whether triglycerides are high or normal.