Triglycerides
Understanding Triglycerides
What is Triglycerides?
The Triglycerides test is a blood test that measures the levels of triglycerides in the body. This test is used to evaluate your risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, especially when you have risk factors, such as obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure. It is often done as part of a routine health checkup or a lipid profile.
Triglycerides are a type of fat found in your blood that the body uses for energy. They are stored in fat cells and released when your body needs extra fuel. A Triglycerides test is often performed along with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol tests. This test is vital for managing your overall heart health as high levels of triglycerides can contribute to the hardening and narrowing of your arteries.
Your doctor may suggest the Triglycerides test if you have risk factors that may contribute to high triglyceride levels, such as obesity, a high-carbohydrate diet, poorly-controlled diabetes, etc. Abnormal triglyceride levels may not show any symptoms initially. However, if left untreated, high triglyceride levels (hypertriglyceridemia) can lead to several health complications, such as heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular conditions. On the other hand, low triglyceride levels (hypotriglyceridemia) are rare and can be caused by malnutrition or specific genetic conditions. Overnight fasting (8-12 hours) is recommended before undergoing the Triglycerides test. Do not eat or drink anything other than water during the fasting period.
Test result ranges are approximate and may differ slightly between labs depending on the methodology and laboratory guidelines. Talk to your doctor about your specific test results. The results will help them determine your medical condition, make recommendations for lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise, decide whether or not medication will be required to manage your condition, and formulate your overall treatment plan.
What is Triglycerides used for?
The Triglycerides test is done:
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As part of a routine health checkup to measure the level of triglycerides in the blood.
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To evaluate the risk of heart conditions if you have risk factors, such as obesity, diabetes, or a family history of health diseases.
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To monitor the treatment response or disease progression in individuals with existing heart disease.
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To check the effectiveness of lipid-lowering medicines if you are already on medication for deranged lipids levels.
What does Triglycerides measure?
The Triglycerides test measures the amount of triglycerides in the blood and helps evaluate your risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Triglycerides are a type of fat (lipid) that your body uses as a source of energy. When you consume more calories than your body needs, the excess calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in fat cells for later use. High triglyceride levels can contribute to the hardening and narrowing of arteries, increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other related conditions.
Interpreting Triglycerides results
Interpretations
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Normal — Less than 150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L)
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Borderline high — 150 to 199 mg/dL (1.8 to 2.2 mmol/L)
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High — 200 to 499 mg/dL (2.3 to 5.6 mmol/L)
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Very high — 500 mg/dL or above (5.7 mmol/L or above)
Note: Triglyceride levels remain temporarily elevated for a period after meals. Hence, fasting for 12 hrs is required before the test.
Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Triglycerides
Frequently Asked Questions about Triglycerides
Q. What is the triglyceride test?
Q. Do I need to fast before the triglyceride test?
Q. How can I lower my triglyceride levels through diet?
Q. What lifestyle changes can help reduce triglyceride levels?
Q. What conditions can cause elevated triglyceride levels?
Q. What are the signs and symptoms associated with high triglycerides?
Q. What is the difference between triglycerides and cholesterol?
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References
- M Ridker P. Fasting versus Nonfasting Triglycerides and the Prediction of Cardiovascular Risk: Do We Need to Revisit the Oral Triglyceride Tolerance Test?. Clinical Chemistry. 2008 Jan. 01; 54(1):11-13. [Accessed 07 Feb. 2023]. Available from: https://academic.oup.com/clinchem/article/54/1/11/5628707
- Guerrero-Romero F, Villalobos-Molina R, Jiménez-Flores JR, et al. Fasting Triglycerides and Glucose Index as a Diagnostic Test for Insulin Resistance in Young Adults. Archives of Medical Research. 2016 Jul.; 47(5):382-387. [Accessed 07 Feb. 2023]. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0188440916301400
- P Neri B, S Frings C. Improved Method for Determination of Triglycerides in Serum. Clinical Chemistry, 1973 Oct. 01; 19(10):1201-1202. [Accessed 07 Feb. 2023]. Available from: https://academic.oup.com/clinchem/article-abstract/19/10/1201/5676688
- Luley C, Ronquist G, Reuter W, et al. Point-of-Care Testing of Triglycerides: Evaluation of the Accutrend Triglycerides System. Clinical Chemistry, 2000 Feb.; 46(2):287-291. [Accessed 07 Feb. 2023]. Available from: https://academic.oup.com/clinchem/article/46/2/287/5640541
- Fossati P, Prencipe L. Serum triglycerides determined colorimetrically with an enzyme that produces hydrogen peroxide. Clinical Chemistry, 1982 Oct. 01; 28(10):2077-2080. [Accessed 07 Feb. 2023]. Available from: https://academic.oup.com/clinchem/article-abstract/28/10/2077/5667036
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