What is Triglycerides?
Triglycerides are the main form of fat stored and transported in the body, coming from food and produced by the liver. Measured as part of a lipid panel (fasting for best accuracy), elevated triglycerides are closely tied to insulin resistance, excess sugar and alcohol intake, and increased cardiovascular risk.
Why it matters
High triglycerides are a marker of poor metabolic health and, when very high, can cause pancreatitis. The triglyceride-to-HDL ratio is a useful clue to insulin resistance.
What it measures
The concentration of triglycerides in serum, ideally after a 9–12 hour fast.
Reference & optimal ranges
Reference ranges vary by lab, assay, age, and sex. The ranges below reflect commonly published adult intervals and are for education only always interpret results with the range printed on your own lab report and a clinician.
High triglycerides reflect metabolic dysfunction and raise cardiovascular risk; very high levels risk pancreatitis.
Common symptoms
- None usually
- Very high levels: abdominal pain (pancreatitis)
Potential causes
- Excess sugar, refined carbs, and alcohol
- Insulin resistance / type 2 diabetes
- Obesity
- Hypothyroidism
- Genetics
Low triglycerides are generally not a concern and often reflect a low-carbohydrate diet or good metabolic health.
Common symptoms
- None
Potential causes
- Low-carbohydrate diet
- Good metabolic health
- Rare genetic conditions or malnutrition
How to improve your Triglycerides
Lifestyle
Limit alcohol
Alcohol strongly raises triglycerides in susceptible people.
Nutrition
Cut added sugar and refined carbs
These are the biggest dietary driver of high triglycerides; omega-3 fats help lower them.
Exercise
Regular aerobic exercise
Effectively lowers triglycerides and improves insulin sensitivity.
Sleep
Prioritize sleep
Poor sleep worsens the insulin resistance that raises triglycerides.
Frequently asked questions
Scientific references
- Triglycerides Test MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Lipid Panel Testing.com
Educational information, not medical advice. This page is for general education and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a licensed clinician. Do not start, stop, or change any medication, supplement, or treatment based on this content. Reference and optimal ranges vary between laboratories interpret your results with the range on your own report and a qualified professional.