Triglycerides

What is Triglycerides?

A type of fat in the blood, measured as part of a standard cholesterol panel.

Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in the body, stored for energy and released between meals. They are measured alongside LDL and HDL cholesterol in a standard lipid panel, and levels are affected by diet, alcohol intake, body weight, and physical activity. High triglycerides are associated with increased cardiovascular risk.

Tests often checked alongside this

• Fasting Glucose/HbA1c — elevated triglycerides often track with insulin resistance
• Liver enzymes (ALT/AST) — high triglycerides are linked to fatty liver
• HDL and LDL — completes the full lipid picture

How this can show up in how you look and feel

• Triglycerides typically produce no noticeable symptoms at moderately elevated levels
• This is exactly why it's tested rather than felt
• In rare cases of very severe elevation (above roughly 1000 mg/dL), abdominal pain from pancreatitis can occur, though this is uncommon

What can affect this marker

• Recent meals and fasting status
• Alcohol intake
• Sugar and carbohydrate intake
• Body weight and activity level

What to track over time

• Your trend across repeat tests
• Alongside your full lipid panel
• Response to diet or activity changes
• Whether fasting status was consistent

What to ask your doctor

• Was I properly fasted for this test?
• What's driving an elevated result?
• Should I retest after diet changes?
• How does this affect my heart risk?

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