TempoLife › Features › Blood test reference ranges › triglycerides

Triglycerides

The main storage fat circulating in the blood, packaged into lipoproteins. Triglycerides rise sharply after a fatty meal and fall again over hours, so of all the lipids this is the one most affected by when you last ate and what you last drank.

General information only — not a diagnosis, not treatment and not a substitute for your doctor. Reference ranges differ between laboratories, so the range printed on your own report is the one that counts, and only a clinician who knows your history can say what a result means for you. Never start, stop or change a medicine or supplement based on this page.

Usual adult reference range

The ranges below are typical adult reference intervals. Your own laboratory sets its own, printed next to your result, and that is the one to compare against.

Source: Commonly quoted desirable levels from cardiovascular prevention guidance; laboratories print their own reference interval. · checked 2026-09-02

What a high result generally indicates

Moderately raised triglycerides usually track with alcohol intake, refined carbohydrate, excess weight and poorly controlled diabetes. Very high levels are a distinct problem because of the risk to the pancreas, and are managed urgently and medically rather than by diet advice from a web page.

What a low result generally indicates

Low triglycerides are not usually a concern. Very low values can occur with hyperthyroidism, malabsorption or malnutrition.

These are general patterns, not a diagnosis. Many things cause a high or low result, and the same figure means different things in different people. What yours means is a question for the doctor who ordered the test.

What affects this result

• A recent meal — the single biggest short-term influence.
• Alcohol, even a single evening's drinking before the test.
• Refined carbohydrate and sugary drinks raise fasting levels.
• Uncontrolled diabetes and hypothyroidism raise them.
• Some medicines raise them, including certain diuretics and steroids.
• Pregnancy raises them substantially and normally.

Before the test

A fasting sample (8-12 hours) is often requested specifically because triglycerides are so meal-sensitive.

Any preparation instruction that comes with your test slip overrides this general note — follow the one your clinician or laboratory gave you.

The one thing to take from this page

The range above is a typical interval for orientation. Your own laboratory's range, printed beside your result, is the one that applies to you — and a result is only meaningful alongside your symptoms, your history, your medicines and your other tests. That reading is a clinician's job. This page cannot diagnose anything, cannot tell you to change a medicine or a supplement, and is not a substitute for the person who ordered your test.

Frequently asked questions

Other markers

All markers and the checker · Symptoms and nutrients · Medicine interactions