Biomarker guide
Triglycerides (mg/dL)
Triglycerides measure the amount of fat circulating in your blood, largely reflecting how your body processes dietary carbohydrate and fat. People test them as part of a lipid panel because elevated triglycerides are associated with cardiovascular risk and are one of the earliest lab signals of insulin resistance.
Reference ranges
Commonly used adult reference ranges. Labs vary in methodology and cutoffs, interpret your results against your lab report's stated ranges and with your doctor.
Commonly used reference ranges place fasting triglycerides under 150 mg/dL; results are highly sensitive to recent meals, alcohol, and carbohydrate intake.
| Zone | Range |
|---|---|
| Optimal | 0–100 mg/dL |
| Normal | 100–150 mg/dL |
| Borderline high | 150–200 mg/dL |
| High | 200–400 mg/dL |
The importance of Triglycerides
Triglycerides are the storage-and-transport form of fat. After meals the liver packages excess energy, especially refined carbohydrate and alcohol, into triglyceride-rich particles, so the marker responds quickly to diet. Few common lab values move as fast: meaningful changes can show up within weeks of dietary adjustment.
A fasting triglyceride level under about 100 mg/dL is generally associated with good metabolic health, while values creeping above 150 mg/dL often accompany rising insulin resistance, particularly when HDL-C falls at the same time. The triglyceride-to-HDL ratio is sometimes used as a rough insulin-resistance screen for this reason.
Very high triglycerides (500 mg/dL and above) are a separate concern associated with pancreatitis and warrant prompt medical attention. For the more common mild elevations, reducing refined carbohydrates, alcohol, and excess calories, and increasing activity, are the standard levers, and a follow-up test after a few months shows whether they are working. Persistent elevation is worth discussing with your doctor.
Frequently asked questions
What is a normal triglyceride level?
Commonly used reference ranges place fasting triglycerides below 150 mg/dL, with many clinicians viewing values under 100 mg/dL as optimal. Levels of 150–199 mg/dL are labeled borderline high and 200 mg/dL or above high; labs vary slightly in their cutoffs.
Do I need to fast before a triglyceride test?
For the most comparable result, yes, triglycerides can rise substantially for hours after a meal, so a 9–12 hour fast is the traditional standard. Some panels now accept non-fasting draws, but if your result is unexpectedly high after eating, a fasting repeat is usually the next step.
What causes high triglycerides?
Excess calories, especially from refined carbohydrates, sugar, and alcohol, are the most common drivers, along with insulin resistance, obesity, hypothyroidism, kidney disease, certain medications, and genetics. Because so many factors feed in, a persistently high result is worth reviewing with your doctor.
How fast can triglycerides change?
Faster than most lipid markers. Cutting refined carbohydrates and alcohol, increasing activity, and losing modest weight can lower triglycerides measurably within a few weeks, which makes this one of the most responsive markers for tracking dietary changes.
Panels that measure Triglycerides
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