❤️ Lipid Panel

Triglycerides: What It Means for Your Health

Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in your body, formed from excess calories (especially from carbohydrates and alcohol) that are stored in fat cells for later energy use. After eating, triglycerides rise and then fall as they are cleared from the blood. Chronically elevated triglycerides, combined with high LDL and low HDL, significantly increase cardiovascular risk and can cause pancreatitis.

Full Name
Triglycerides (TG)
Normal Range
0–150 mg/dL
Also Known As
Triglyceride, TG

Reference Range

LowNormal: 0–150 mg/dLHigh

Reference ranges may vary between laboratories, age groups, and sexes. The values shown are general adult reference ranges. Always compare your results to the specific range provided by your testing laboratory.

What Is Triglycerides?

Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in your body, formed from excess calories (especially from carbohydrates and alcohol) that are stored in fat cells for later energy use. After eating, triglycerides rise and then fall as they are cleared from the blood. Chronically elevated triglycerides, combined with high LDL and low HDL, significantly increase cardiovascular risk and can cause pancreatitis.

Commonly included in:

Lipid PanelCardiovascular Risk Panel

What Does High Triglycerides Mean?

Above 150 mg/dL

Elevated triglycerides increase cardiovascular risk and, at very high levels (above 500 mg/dL), can cause acute pancreatitis. Common causes include a high-carbohydrate or high-alcohol diet, obesity, uncontrolled diabetes, hypothyroidism, kidney disease, and certain medications (steroids, estrogen, beta-blockers). Borderline high is 150-199, high is 200-499, very high is 500+.

What Does Low Triglycerides Mean?

Below 0 mg/dL

Very low triglycerides (below 50 mg/dL) are uncommon and may indicate malnutrition, malabsorption, hyperthyroidism, or a very low-fat diet. They are generally not a concern unless accompanied by other signs of malnutrition.

Related Biomarkers in Lipid Panel

Total Cholesterol
Total amount of cholesterol in your blood.
Range: 0–200 mg/dL
LDL
"Bad" cholesterol that builds up in artery walls.
Range: 0–130 mg/dL
HDL
"Good" cholesterol that removes excess cholesterol from arteries.
Range: 40–100 mg/dL

Track Your Triglycerides Over Time

Upload your blood test results to Hemoly and see how your Triglycerides levels change over time. Get trend analysis, educational insights, and a personal health timeline.

Download Hemoly for iOS

Medical Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reference ranges may vary between laboratories. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for interpretation of your blood test results and before making any health decisions.