What is Triglycerides Test

Triglycerides Test is a part of a routine physical exam. Triglycerides are a type of fat in the body. Having a high level of triglycerides can increase your risk for heart disease.

Health care providers recommend that adults have this test at least once every 5 years. If you have risk factors for heart disease or are being treated for high triglycerides, you may need to have this test more often.

What is being tested?

This test measures the amount of triglycerides in your blood. Triglycerides are naturally present in the body, and you also take in triglycerides by eating certain foods.

Triglycerides may be measured as part of a test called a lipid profile, which tests triglycerides and cholesterol levels.

What kind of sample is taken?

A blood sample is required for this test. It may be collected by inserting a needle into a blood vessel, or by pricking a fingertip with a small needle (finger stick).

How do I prepare for this test?

• Follow instructions from your health care provider about changing or stopping your regular medicines.
• Do not eat or drink anything except water starting 9–12 hours before your test, or as long as told by your health care provider.
• Do not drink alcohol starting at least 24 hours before your test.
• Follow any instructions from your health care provider about dietary restrictions before your test.

Tell a health care provider about:

• All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
• Any blood disorders you have.
• Any medical conditions you have.

How are the results reported?

Your test results will be reported as a value that indicates how many triglycerides are in your blood. This will be given as milligrams of triglycerides per deciliter of blood (mg/dL).

Your health care provider will compare your results to normal values that were established after testing a large group of people (reference ranges). Reference ranges may vary among labs and hospitals. For this test, common reference ranges are:

• Adults:
  • Male: 40–160 mg/dL or 0.45–1.81 mmol/L (SI units).
  • Female: 35–135 mg/dL or 0.40–1.52 mmol/L (SI units).
• Teens 16–19 years old:
  • Male: 40–163 mg/dL.
  • Female: 40–128 mg/dL.
• Children 12–15 years old:
  • Male: 36–138 mg/dL.
  • Female: 41–138 mg/dL.
• Children 6–11 years old:
  • Male: 31–108 mg/dL.
  • Female: 35–114 mg/dL.
• Children 5 years or younger:
  • Male: 30–86 mg/dL.
  • Female: 32–99 mg/dL.

What do the results mean?

Results that are within the reference range are considered normal. This means that you have a normal amount of triglycerides in your blood.

Results that are higher than your reference range mean that there are too many triglycerides in your blood. This may mean that you:

• Have a higher risk of heart disease.
• Have certain diseases that cause high triglycerides, such as diabetes.
• Are taking certain medicines such as estrogens and oral contraceptives.

Results that are lower than your reference range mean that there are too few triglycerides in your blood. This may mean that you are not getting enough nutrients in your diet (malnutrition).

Talk with your health care provider about what your results mean.

Questions to ask your health care provider

Ask your health care provider, or the department that is doing the test:

• When will my results be ready?
• How will I get my results?
• What are my treatment options?
• What other tests do I need?
• What are my next steps?

Summary

• Triglycerides are a type of fat in the body. Having a high level of triglycerides can increase your risk for heart disease.
• You may have this test as part of a routine physical exam. Triglycerides may be measured as part of a test called a lipid profile, which tests triglycerides and cholesterol.
• Talk with your health care provider about what your results mean.