DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	TRANSGENOMIC INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001043961
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		20,695,870
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 19.3