Triglycerides blood test
The main fat in your blood, made from the energy you eat and do not use straight away.
- Typical range (adult men)
- below 150 mg/dL
- Panel
- Lipid Panel
- Also called
- TG, Trigs
Reference ranges vary between labs; use the range on your own report. Results need to be read by a doctor alongside your symptoms and other tests.
Why it’s tested
High levels add to heart and pancreas risk and often travel with insulin resistance.
What can raise it
- Recent meal (test fasting)
- Excess sugar and alcohol
- Insulin resistance
- Some medications
What can lower it
- Usually not a concern
Getting an accurate result
- Test in the morning, especially for hormones, which run highest early in the day.
- Fast for 8 to 12 hours beforehand (water is fine).
- Stay hydrated, and test at the same lab and time of day each time so results compare fairly.
Other lipid panel tests
Questions
What is a normal Triglycerides level?
A typical adult male reference range is below 150 mg/dL. Ranges differ for women, by age and between labs, so compare with the range printed on your report.
What does high Triglycerides mean?
Common reasons include recent meal (test fasting), excess sugar and alcohol, insulin resistance and some medications. One result outside the range isn't a diagnosis: a doctor will look at it with your other markers and history.
What does low Triglycerides mean?
Common reasons include usually not a concern.