Heart system

Triglycerides

The main form of fat circulating in your blood.

What is it

Triglycerides — in plain English.

Triglycerides are a type of lipid that store and transport dietary fat and excess calories. They are measured after a fasting period for the most accurate baseline.

Why it's measured

What Triglycerides can reveal.

Elevated triglycerides have been associated with metabolic dysfunction, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular risk in published research.

Reference range

Where most laboratories draw the standard line.

Standard laboratory reference

< 150 mg/dL

Reference ranges vary by laboratory. Your individual reference range will appear on your test report and should be interpreted by your physician in the context of your overall health profile.

What results may indicate

Higher vs. lower Triglycerides — at a high level.

Elevated

Has been associated with insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and elevated cardiovascular risk in research literature.

Lower

Is generally considered favorable.

These associations are general. They are not a personal diagnosis or prediction. Discuss your individual results with your physician in the context of your full health profile.

When it's measured

When Triglycerides is typically run.

Part of every standard cholesterol panel. Typically measured after a fasting period.

Related markers

Often measured alongside Triglycerides.

Common questions

Questions people ask about Triglycerides

What is Triglycerides?

Triglycerides are a type of lipid that store and transport dietary fat and excess calories. They are measured after a fasting period for the most accurate baseline.

Why is Triglycerides measured?

It's one of the markers used to build a fuller picture of your health. On its own it tells you very little, so it's most informative when reviewed alongside related markers.

How is Triglycerides tested?

It's measured from a standard blood draw at Quest or LabCorp. Triglycerides is one of the markers included in the OPTML Apex Panel, where your results are read across systems and reviewed by a U.S.-licensed physician.

What should I do with my Triglycerides result?

Reference ranges vary by laboratory, and a single value rarely tells the whole story. Review your result with a physician in the context of your other markers, symptoms, and history.

Not sure which panel is right for you?

Triglycerides is one signal among many. Answer a few quick questions and we’ll point you to the panel that fits.

Measured in

Triglycerides is one of 160 biomarkers in the Apex Panel.

A complete look at your heart, hormones, metabolism, inflammation, and longevity systems — drawn at Quest or LabCorp, reviewed by a U.S.-licensed physician.

Explore the Apex Panel
160 biomarkers13 body systemsPhysician-reviewed
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This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Lab results alone are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition and do not replace the advice of a healthcare provider. OPTML does not offer medical advice, a diagnosis, medical treatment, or any form of medical opinion.