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. A 12-hour fast before blood draw is required for accurate measurement.
| 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. With healthy nutrition and moderate carbohydrates, values of 50–100 mg/dl are physiological.
↑ What a high value means
Triglycerides 150–199 mg/dl: borderline elevated, lifestyle intervention recommended. 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
Must be fasting (at least 12 hours, water only). Part of the standard lipid panel. No alcohol the evening before. First screening at age 35 (men) / 45 (women), or earlier with risk factors. Follow-up during interventions every 3 months. Always measure triglycerides in acute pancreatitis of unclear cause.
Frequently asked questions
Why are triglycerides so low on a low-carb diet? +
Triglycerides are produced primarily from excess carbohydrates via hepatic de novo lipogenesis (fructose and glucose). On a low-carb diet, this substrate supply is absent, causing VLDL production and triglycerides to drop sharply — often to 50–80 mg/dl.
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. Such values require urgent medical evaluation and often fibrate therapy.
How do I distinguish genetically elevated triglycerides from diet-related elevation? +
Genetic hypertriglyceridemia often manifests at a young age, in lean individuals, and despite a healthy diet. Dietary elevation improves rapidly (1–4 weeks) with sugar reduction. 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.