In a hyperlipidemia screening 6 hours after a meal, a triglyceride of 260 mg/dL with cholesterol 120 mg/dL was obtained. What is the best interpretation?

• A. Both results are normal and not affected by the recent meal
• B. Cholesterol is normal, but triglycerides are elevated, which may be attributed to the recent meal
• C. Both results elevated, indicating a metabolic problem in addition to the nonfasting state
• D. Both results below normal despite the recent meal, indicating a metabolic problem

Answer: (B)

Triglycerides respond strongly to recent fat intake, while cholesterol levels are not acutely driven by a meal. Six hours after eating, a lipid panel is still considered nonfasting, and postprandial lipemia from chylomicrons can raise triglycerides to higher levels even if the person has no underlying disorder. A triglyceride value of 260 mg/dL in this context can be explained by the recent meal, whereas a total cholesterol of 120 mg/dL falls within the normal range and is not meaningfully affected by the meal. Therefore, the best interpretation is that cholesterol is normal, and the triglycerides are elevated due to the recent meal, with no evident metabolic abnormality from this single nonfasting result. If an accurate assessment of triglyceride status is needed, obtain a fasting sample on another day.