Triglycerides: Normal Range & How to Lower High Levels
Also known as: Trig, TG, triglyceride blood test, triglycerides blood test
Triglycerides are a type of fat carried in your blood that your body uses for energy or stores as fat; a triglycerides blood test is usually part of a standard lipid panel. Normal fasting triglycerides are below 150 mg/dL, borderline-high is 150–199 mg/dL, high is 200–499 mg/dL, and 500 mg/dL or above is very high; elevated triglycerides can suggest higher cardiovascular risk and, at very high levels, an increased risk of pancreatitis that rises substantially above 1,000 mg/dL, though results and reference ranges vary by lab and are interpreted by a clinician alongside your other lipid values.
Triglycerides normal range
| Category | Range (mg/dL) |
|---|---|
| Normal | < 150 mg/dL |
| Borderline high | 150–199 mg/dL |
| High | 200–499 mg/dL |
| Very high | ≥ 500 mg/dLIncreased pancreatitis risk — warrants prompt follow-up with a clinician |
| Severely high | ≥ 1,000 mg/dLPancreatitis risk rises substantially at this level and usually needs more urgent treatment |
| Reference ranges vary by lab | Use your report's rangeFasting vs. non-fasting affects the result — check whether your test required fasting |
Reference ranges vary by laboratory. Use the range printed on your own report as the definitive comparison.
What high Triglycerides can mean
- Diet high in added sugar, refined carbohydrates, or alcohol
- Obesity, physical inactivity, or metabolic syndrome
- Poorly controlled diabetes
- Hypothyroidism, kidney disease, or certain medications (e.g. steroids, some diuretics, estrogen)
- Genetics, including inherited disorders of triglyceride metabolism
- Not fasting before the blood draw can also temporarily raise the result
What low Triglycerides can mean
- A low triglyceride level is generally not a concern and is favorable for heart health
- Very low levels are occasionally seen with malnutrition, hyperthyroidism, or certain rare genetic conditions
What to do about an abnormal result
- Compare your value to the range on your own report — reference ranges vary by lab, and whether your test was fasting or non-fasting affects the result.
- Limiting added sugar, refined carbohydrates, and alcohol is one of the fastest ways to lower triglycerides.
- Losing excess weight, exercising regularly, and adding omega-3-rich foods (fatty fish) or supplements can further lower triglycerides.
- Triglycerides of 500 mg/dL or higher raise the risk of pancreatitis and typically call for prompt follow-up with your doctor and often medication, not just lifestyle changes — that risk rises substantially once triglycerides reach 1,000 mg/dL or higher.
- Talk to your doctor before starting any supplement or medication — treatment is individualized based on your triglyceride level and overall cardiovascular risk.
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Frequently asked questions
How can I lower my triglycerides?
The most effective ways to lower triglycerides are limiting added sugar, refined carbohydrates, and alcohol, losing excess weight, and exercising regularly. Omega-3 fatty acids from fish or fish-oil supplements can also help, especially at higher triglyceride levels. If your triglycerides are very high (500 mg/dL or above) or don't improve with lifestyle changes, your doctor may add medication to lower them and reduce the risk of pancreatitis — a risk that climbs substantially once levels reach 1,000 mg/dL or higher.
What is considered a normal triglyceride level?
A normal fasting triglyceride level is below 150 mg/dL. Levels of 150–199 mg/dL are borderline-high, 200–499 mg/dL is high, and 500 mg/dL or above is very high and increases the risk of pancreatitis, a risk that rises substantially once triglycerides reach 1,000 mg/dL or higher. Because reference ranges vary by lab, compare your result to the range printed on your own report.
What does a triglycerides blood test measure?
A triglycerides blood test measures the amount of a fat called triglycerides circulating in your bloodstream, which your body uses for energy or stores in fat tissue. It's usually included as part of a standard lipid panel along with total cholesterol, LDL, and HDL. Whether the test was done fasting or non-fasting can affect the result, so it's worth checking your report or asking your doctor.
Does fasting affect a triglycerides test?
Yes — triglycerides rise temporarily after eating, so a fasting triglycerides test (typically 9–12 hours without food) gives the most accurate baseline reading. Some newer guidelines allow non-fasting triglyceride tests for general screening, but a fasting result is usually preferred when levels are borderline or high.
Related biomarkers
Sources
This page draws on the following authoritative references.
- 2026 ACC/AHA Guideline on the Management of Dyslipidemia — Journal of the American College of Cardiology
- Evaluation and Treatment of Hypertriglyceridemia: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline — The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
Medically reviewed by Antonieta Rueda, MD and Kyle R. Toth, MD · Last reviewed July 22, 2026
This article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or your lab results.