Triglycerides
Blood fats as energy reserve and atherosclerosis risk factor
Also known as
Definition
Triglycerides are neutral fats stored as energy reserves in adipose tissue and transported in the fasting bloodstream as VLDL particles. Chronically elevated levels increase cardiovascular risk and correlate with insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. The reference range refers to a fasting value; labs usually ask for 12 hours without food before the blood draw.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Unit | mg/dl (mmol/l) |
| Reference Range | < 150 mg/dl (fasting value) |
Agree on your personal target range with your doctor.
Conversion: 1 mg/dl × 0.01129 = mmol/l. US labs report in mg/dl; international studies often use mmol/l. Fasting value is the standard measurement.
↓ What a low value means
Triglycerides below 50 mg/dl can indicate malnutrition, malabsorption (e.g., celiac disease, chronic pancreatitis), hyperthyroidism, or a very low-fat diet. Very low values are rarely clinically problematic.
↑ What a high value means
Triglycerides 150–199 mg/dl: borderline elevated. 200–499 mg/dl: elevated, significantly increased cardiovascular risk and a sign of insulin resistance. ≥ 500 mg/dl: very high, acute pancreatitis risk. Causes: high-sugar diet, alcohol, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, hypothyroidism, kidney disease, genetic hypertriglyceridemia, pregnancy.
✓ What can influence this value
The triglyceride value is influenced by fasting duration (a meal before the blood draw raises it), the carbohydrate share of the diet, especially sugar and fructose, as well as alcohol consumption, body weight, insulin resistance, and physical activity. Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) as well as low-carb or ketogenic diets can lower the value. The assessment is made by the treating doctor.
When to test
Part of the standard lipid panel. It is usually measured fasting; labs generally ask for 12 hours without food (water only), and alcohol the evening before can raise the value. Triglycerides are also measured with risk factors and in acute pancreatitis of unclear cause. From what age and how often they are measured is decided by your doctor.
Frequently asked questions
Why do triglycerides fall on a low-carb diet? +
Part of the triglycerides is produced in the liver from excess carbohydrates (de novo lipogenesis from fructose and glucose). When fewer carbohydrates are consumed, VLDL production and triglycerides fall. In randomized studies, triglycerides decreased on low-carbohydrate diets in the groups studied; by how much differed with baseline level and study. A general end value cannot be derived from this.
Can elevated triglycerides cause pancreatitis? +
Yes. With triglycerides > 500 mg/dl the pancreatitis risk rises significantly. At values > 1,000 mg/dl, acute pancreatitis is a serious danger. With such values, immediate medical evaluation is indicated; whether and how treatment is given is decided by the doctor.
How do genetically and diet-related elevated triglycerides differ? +
Genetic hypertriglyceridemia often manifests at a young age, in lean individuals, and despite a healthy diet. A diet-related elevation often falls quickly with less sugar in the diet. A fasting lipid panel combined with family history clarifies the cause.
Triglycerides
Sources
Last updated: May 28, 2026
This information is for orientation only and does not replace medical advice. Reference ranges can vary by laboratory, method and country.