In laboratory blood tests, what does the term "lipemia" refer to?

Lipemia refers specifically to the presence of high levels of lipids, or fats, in the blood. When a patient has lipemia, it usually indicates that there are elevated triglycerides or chylomicrons circulating in the bloodstream, which can give the blood a cloudy or milky appearance. This can occur after a meal high in fat or in conditions such as hyperlipidemia or metabolic disorders. Recognizing lipemia is important because it can interfere with laboratory tests, potentially leading to inaccurate results for parameters like glucose, electrolytes, and certain enzymes.

The other terms mentioned in the choices relate to different conditions: an increase in white blood cells corresponds to leukocytosis, a deficiency of iron relates to iron deficiency anemia, and high sugar levels in the blood indicate hyperglycemia, commonly associated with diabetes. Each of these conditions has its own clinical context and implications, distinguishing them from lipemia.