Triglyceride level

Alternative names:

TG; triacylglycerol

What the risks are:

• excessive bleeding
• fainting or feeling lightheaded
• hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
• infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
• multiple punctures to locate veins

Special considerations:

Pregnancy can interfere with test results.

Drugs that can increase triglyceride measurements include cholestyramine, estrogens, and oral contraceptives.

Drugs that can decrease triglyceride measurements include ascorbic acid, asparaginase, clofibrate, and colestipol.

Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.