Biomarker · Cardiovascular
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are the main type of fat in the blood. Learn what a triglyceride test shows, why fasting matters and how results relate to metabolic health.
Written by LON6EVITY Editorial Team · Last updated
Overview
Triglycerides are fats the body uses for energy. Calories not used right away are converted into triglycerides and stored in fat cells.
Why it matters
Raised triglycerides are associated with cardiovascular risk and often occur together with insulin resistance, low HDL and excess abdominal weight. Very high levels increase the risk of pancreatitis.
Higher results
Common contributors include recent meals, alcohol, excess weight, uncontrolled diabetes, kidney disease, some medications and genetics.
How the test is performed
Measured in a lipid panel. Triglycerides rise after eating, so some labs ask you to fast for 9–12 hours.
Reference ranges
| NHS guide (fasting) | ≤ 1.7 mmol/L |
|---|
Reference ranges and targets differ between laboratories, units and guidelines, and depend on age, sex, method and your overall clinical picture. A single result is not a diagnosis — interpret it with a qualified clinician.
Factors that can affect the result
- Recent meal
- Alcohol
- Refined carbohydrates
- Body weight
- Diabetes control
- Medications
Questions people commonly ask
- Why were my triglycerides high after breakfast?
- Triglycerides rise after meals. If you weren't fasting, your clinician may repeat the test fasting.
Related biomarkers
Related tests
Related topics
Understand your biomarkers in context
What does this mean for your own health data? Log your results, follow trends over time and bring an organised summary to your next doctor's appointment.
Sources
- Triglycerides Test. MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
- Cholesterol levels. NHS.
- 2019 ESC/EAS Guidelines for the management of dyslipidaemias: lipid modification to reduce cardiovascular risk. European Society of Cardiology / European Atherosclerosis Society (Mach F et al.), Eur Heart J, 2020.