Triglycerides (TG): Normal Range, High and Low Levels

Triglycerides are a type of fat measured by a blood test, usually as part of a lipid panel used to help assess cardiovascular risk. A fasting level above 150 mg/dL is considered borderline high or higher, and results are usually reviewed alongside cholesterol values.

Triglycerides are the most common type of fat, or lipid, found in the blood. Most of the fat you eat is turned into triglycerides, which are then carried through the bloodstream to be used for energy or stored in fat tissue for later use. The liver can also make triglycerides, especially when a person eats more calories than the body needs right away, such as extra carbohydrates or sugar. A triglycerides blood test measures the amount of this fat circulating in your blood at the time the sample was drawn. Because eating can temporarily raise levels, this test is often done after fasting.

A triglycerides test is usually ordered as part of a lipid panel, which also measures total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol. This panel helps a healthcare provider evaluate overall cardiovascular health and estimate the risk of heart disease or stroke. Triglycerides may be checked during a routine physical exam, when screening for metabolic conditions, or when monitoring how diet, exercise, or medication changes affect blood fat levels. It can also be used alongside fasting glucose testing, since triglyceride and blood sugar levels are closely connected. Repeat testing over time can help track whether lifestyle changes or treatment plans are having an effect.

Triglyceride results are typically reported as fasting values, since eating can raise levels for several hours afterward. Reference ranges can vary somewhat between laboratories, so the specific range listed on a lab report should be used for comparison. The table below outlines general categories used to interpret fasting triglyceride results in adults.

Elevated triglycerides are commonly linked to diet and lifestyle factors, including eating more calories than the body uses, a diet high in refined carbohydrates or added sugars, regular alcohol use, and limited physical activity. Being overweight or having excess body fat, particularly around the abdomen, is also commonly associated with higher triglyceride levels. Certain health conditions can raise triglycerides as well, including poorly controlled diabetes, hypothyroidism, kidney disease, and liver conditions. Some medications, such as certain steroids, beta-blockers, diuretics, and estrogen-containing therapies, may also contribute to higher readings. In some cases, genetics play a role, and inherited conditions can cause very high triglyceride levels that run in families.

A fasting result between 150 mg/dL and 199 mg/dL is generally considered borderline high, while a result from 200 mg/dL to 499 mg/dL is considered high. A level of 500 mg/dL or above is considered very high and is more strongly linked to a risk of pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas. Any high triglyceride result should be discussed with a healthcare provider, who can consider it alongside other lipid panel results, personal health history, and additional testing.

Low triglyceride levels are less commonly discussed than high levels, but they can still occur. Causes may include a very low-fat diet, malnutrition, or conditions that affect how the body absorbs fat from food, such as malabsorption disorders. An overactive thyroid, known as hyperthyroidism, can also lower triglyceride levels, since thyroid hormone affects how the body processes fats. Certain medications and rare inherited conditions that affect lipid metabolism may result in unusually low triglycerides as well. In many cases, a low triglyceride level on its own is not considered a health concern, especially if other lipid panel results and overall health are normal. However, unexpected or very low results, particularly alongside other abnormal findings, may be worth discussing with a healthcare provider to better understand the underlying cause.

Triglycerides are usually interpreted together with other lipid panel results, including total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol, since these markers together give a fuller picture of cardiovascular risk. Because triglyceride levels rise after eating, fasting status at the time of the blood draw can significantly affect results, and non-fasting samples may not be directly comparable to fasting reference ranges. Fasting glucose is often checked alongside triglycerides, since elevated blood sugar and insulin resistance are closely linked to higher triglyceride levels. Alcohol intake, recent meals, physical activity, and certain medications can all cause short-term changes in results. Reference ranges and testing methods may also vary slightly between laboratories.

If a triglycerides result comes back outside the typical range, a healthcare provider can help interpret it alongside your full lipid panel, medical history, and lifestyle factors. They may recommend dietary changes, increased physical activity, or follow-up testing, and in some cases may discuss medication options. Urgent: A very high triglyceride result, especially one described as severe or accompanied by symptoms like abdominal pain, may require immediate medical attention, so contact a healthcare provider or seek emergency care promptly. Uploading a lab report to MediWing can help you get a plain-language explanation of your results and track trends over time between appointments.