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Department

Biochemistry

Suitable Specimen Types

  • Serum
  • Aspirate
  • Fluid

Specimen Transport

Usual transport to the laboratory

Sample Processing in Laboratory

Store sample upright undisturbed for 24 hours

Turnaround Time

48 hours

Chylomicrons

General Information

The presence of chylomicrons can be useful in

  1. establishing causes of lipid disorders
  2. establishing the origin of an effusion / drain fluid

Chylomicrons have a low density which causes them to float to the surface of biological fluids if they are allowed to stand overnight at 40 C.

Patient Preparation

None

Reference Range

 

Following visual inspection, results are reported as chylomicrons being present/not present. Specimens with equivocal results are sent off for lipid electrophoresis.