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Triglycerides
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Blood Heart Circulation

Triglycerides

Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in the body, and maintaining healthy levels is essential for reducing the risk of heart disease.

What are triglycerides?

Triglycerides are a type of fat. They are the most common type of fat in your body. They come from foods, especially butter, oils, and other fats you eat. Triglycerides also come from extra calories—calories that you eat, but your body does not need right away.

Your body changes these extra calories into triglycerides and stores them in fat cells. When your body needs energy, it releases the triglycerides. Your VLDL cholesterol particles carry the triglycerides to your tissues.

Having a high level of triglycerides can raise your risk of heart diseases, such as coronary artery disease.

What causes high triglycerides?

Factors that can raise your triglyceride level include:

  • Regularly eating more calories than you burn off, especially if you eat a lot of sugar
  • Being overweight or having obesity
  • Cigarette smoking
  • Excessive alcohol use
  • Certain medicines
  • Some genetic disorders
  • Thyroid diseases
  • Poorly controlled type 2 diabetes
  • Liver or kidney diseases

How are high triglycerides diagnosed?

There is a blood test that measures your triglycerides, along with your cholesterol. Triglyceride levels are measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). The guidelines for triglyceride levels are:

  • Normal: Less than 150 mg/dL
  • Borderline high: 150 to 199 mg/dL
  • High: 200 to 499 mg/dL
  • Very high: 500 mg/dL and above

Levels above 150 mg/dL may raise your risk for heart disease. A triglyceride level of 150 mg/dL or higher is also a risk factor for metabolic syndrome.

What are the treatments for high triglycerides?

You may be able to lower your triglyceride levels with lifestyle changes:

  • Controlling your weight
  • Regular physical activity
  • Not smoking
  • Limiting sugar and refined foods
  • Limiting alcohol
  • Switching from saturated fats to healthier fats

Some people will also need to take cholesterol medicines to lower their triglycerides.

Frequently Asked Questions

To lower triglycerides, focus on reducing refined carbohydrates and added sugars, especially sugary drinks and processed foods. Limit saturated and trans fats, choose lean proteins, and increase your intake of fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Incorporate healthy fats from sources like fatty fish (omega-3s), nuts, and olive oil.
Yes, you typically need to fast for 9 to 12 hours before a triglyceride blood test. This means no food or drinks other than water. It's also important to inform your doctor about any medications you are taking, as some can affect triglyceride levels.
Very high triglyceride levels significantly increase your risk of developing pancreatitis, a painful inflammation of the pancreas. They also contribute to a higher risk of heart disease, including coronary artery disease and stroke, and can be a sign of underlying metabolic issues like uncontrolled diabetes.
If lifestyle changes are insufficient, your doctor may prescribe medications such as fibrates (e.g., fenofibrate, gemfibrozil), high-dose omega-3 fatty acids, or niacin. Statins, primarily used for cholesterol, can also help lower triglycerides to some extent. The choice of medication depends on your specific levels and overall health profile.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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