Triglycerides in Blood Test? What is High and Low Triglyceride Level? Causes & Treatment?
- Health Garden
- Apr 11, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 17, 2024
Triglyceride in blood test is a test that measures the level of triglyceride in your blood.
Triglycerides are a type of fat called lipids that circulate in your blood. The body converts the unused portion of the calories it obtains from food into triglycerides.
Triglycerides are stored in fat cells. These depots are located in fat tissue (adipose tissue). Triglycerides in these stores are used in situations of need such as between meals, activities that require a lot of energy such as sports, long-term hunger or hormone production. If more calories than needed are regularly consumed (especially high-carbohydrate foods), triglyceride levels may increase.
Triglycerides keep body temperature balanced, protect organs against external factors, strengthen the immune system, and meet the energy needs of cells and the body.
Triglycerides are important for health. However, high triglyceride levels in your blood can clog arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Therefore, triglyceride testing is used to understand your risk for heart disease, stroke, and other conditions involving your arteries, such as peripheral artery disease. The test is also used to help monitor heart conditions and treatments to reduce the risk of heart disease.
Triglyceride test is usually done as part of a group of tests called a lipid profile. Lipid profile measures the level of triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood. If your levels of both LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides are high, you may be at higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
Triglycerides and cholesterol are different types of lipids circulating in your blood. Triglycerides store unused calories and provide your body with energy. Cholesterol is used to make cells and some hormones.
Other names for triglyceride testing are TRIG, lipid panel, fasting lipoprotein panel.
What is A Normal Triglyceride Level in Blood Test ?
A normal triglyceride level in a blood test should be less than 150 mg/dL. The table below shows detailed triglyceride levels:
Optimal: Less than 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Borderline high: 150-199 mg/dL
High: 200-499 mg/dL
Very High: 500 mg/dL or above
To obtain the most accurate results, you should fast for 12 hours before the blood sample is taken.
What is High Triglyceride Level in Blood Test?
High triglyceride is more than 150 mg/dl in a blood test.
High triglycerides are called hypertriglyceridemia.
High triglycerides are evaluated at 3 different levels (Borderline high: 150-199 mg/dL, High: 200-499 mg/dL, Very High: 500 mg/dL or above).
If triglyceride levels are high, the risk of heart disease and stroke increases.
What Causes High Triglyceride Level in Blood Test?
Some possible causes of high triglycerides include:
Kidney disease
Diabetes
Liver disease
Overweight and obesity
Thyroid disease
Insufficient exercise
Consuming foods high in fat and sugar
Too much alcohol and cigarette
High blood pressure (infrequent and usually mild)
Genetic factors
Some medications
High Triglyceride Symptoms
Unless your triglyceride level is very high, you may not have symptoms. However, if it exceeds 500mg/dL, it may present with serious symptoms. The most common possible symptoms of high triglyceride levels are;
Pancreatitis
Headache
Stomach ache
Memory problems
Fatigue
Yellow, oil-rich lesions seen on the upper eyelids, called xanthelasma
Fat-containing nodular lesions called xanthoma, seen under the skin in the chest, back, knee and elbow joints
How to Treat High Triglyceride Level?
To treat high triglycerides, first lifestyle changes are made and, if necessary, drug therapy is started. A healthy lifestyle includes:
Exercise regularly: Exercising for at least 30 minutes a day will help reduce triglyceride levels.
Avoid sugar and refined carbohydrates: Simple carbohydrates, such as sugar and foods made with white flour or fructose, can increase triglycerides.
Aim for a healthy weight: The body mass index (BMI) for adults is between 18.5 and 24.9. If your body mass index is above this value, you should come within this range.
Choose healthier fats and foods: Trade saturated fat found in meats for healthier fat found in plants, such as olive and canola oils. Instead of red meat, try fish high in omega-3 fatty acids — such as mackerel or salmon. Avoid trans fats or foods with hydrogenated oils or fats.
Limit alcohol: Alcohol is high in calories and sugar and has a particularly potent effect on triglycerides. If you have severe hypertriglyceridemia, avoid drinking any alcohol.
Manage stress: A peaceful, stress-free lifestyle will have a positive impact on your overall health.
Get enough good quality sleep
If lifestyle changes are not sufficient, your doctor may start medication. It is important that you continue your treatment as recommended by your doctor and under your doctor's control.
What is Low Triglyceride Level in Blood Test?
Low triglyceride is a triglyceride level in the blood of less than 150 mg/dL. Low triglycerides are desirable, but malnutrition and certain health problems can cause low triglycerides.
What Causes Low Triglyceride Level in Blood Test?
Low triglycerides may occur due to a genetic and metabolic disease or malnutrition. The reasons for low triglycerides can be explained as follows:
Malnutrition: Since triglycerides are obtained from fatty foods and carbohydrates, low consumption of these foods may cause a decrease in triglyceride levels.
Malabsorption: Malabsorption is a disorder in which the intestines' ability to adequately absorb nutrients is reduced. This may negatively affect the absorption of triglycerides and cause triglyceride deficiency in the body.
Liver disease: Because the liver is the organ where triglycerides are produced and metabolized, a disease in the liver can reduce triglyceride production.
Hypermetabolic states: Some hypermetabolic states refer to situations in which the body's energy needs increase. For example, conditions such as excessive physical activity, hyperthyroidism, or burns can lead to low triglycerides.
Genetic factors: Although rare, some genetic disorders can cause low triglycerides.
Low Triglyceride Symptoms
As with the deficiency of many substances that our body needs, low triglycerides cause various symptoms, especially fatigue. Symptoms due to low triglycerides can be listed as follows:
Extreme weakness: Since triglycerides are one of the body's energy stores, low triglyceride levels can cause lack of energy and weakness.
Fatigue and weakness: Other symptoms caused by the lack of energy provided by triglycerides are fatigue and weakness.
Emotional changes: In some people, low triglyceride levels can lead to emotional changes, including depression, anxiety, irritability, and difficulty focusing.
Skin problems: Since triglycerides help keep skin hydrated and healthy, low triglyceride levels can lead to skin dryness, itching, skin rashes or sensitivity.
Immune system problems: Since triglycerides contribute to the proper functioning of the immune system, low triglyceride levels can reduce resistance to infections by affecting immune system functions.
How to Treat Low Triglyceride Level?
Treatment of low triglycerides is based on determining the underlying cause. Treatment can often include changes in diet, lifestyle measures, or medications. The aim of treatment is to bring the triglyceride level to a healthy balance.
Healthy diet: You can increase triglyceride levels by increasing the fat intake in your diet. Since it is important to focus on healthy fat sources in fat intake, foods containing omega-3 fatty acids such as olive oil, avocado and fish can be preferred. It is also beneficial to limit foods rich in refined carbohydrates and consume adequate amounts of fiber, fruits and vegetables.
Exercising regularly: Exercising is one of the factors that regulate triglyceride levels. Different degrees of exercise are recommended for both low and high triglyceride levels.
Drug Treatment: Depending on the cause of low triglycerides, the doctor may recommend drug treatment. For example, certain therapeutic medications may be used for diseases that cause low triglycerides, such as liver disease or malabsorption.