Normal Triglyceride Levels
Following the guidelines set by the American Heart Association: normal triglyceride levels are triglycerides less than 150 mg/dl (Please see What’s A Normal Triglyceride Level for the most recent update from the American Heart Association) Triglycerides are tested on blood taken after fasting overnight- preferably 12 hours.
What Tests Check My Triglyceride Levels?
Usually your triglyceride level is checked as part of the lipid panel, which also checks your cholesterol level. If your doctor says he is going to have your cholesterol checked, that is typically with the lipid panel test. If you look at the test results, you may see the abbreviations TG or TRIG. These refer to ‘trigylcerides’.
Why is This Considered Normal?
After collecting the results of vast numbers of lab tests, the data is calculated and the level that 95% of the population falls within is considered the normal triglyceride level. The data is further calculated to determine the other ranges we have for triglyceride levels. Here are the levels as per the National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines:
| Normal | Less than 150 mg/dL |
| Borderline-high | 150 to 199 mg/dL |
| High | 200 to 499 mg/dL |
| Very high | 500 mg/dL or higher |
Again, these are triglyceride levels based on a fasting sample. If your level falls within the normal range, good for you. But do take a look at the rest of the lipid panel to make sure your cholesterol level is ok, along with your HDL and LDL levels of cholesterol.
How Often Should I Get Tested?
There is some disagreement about how often routine screening for high triglycerides and other lipid disorders should be done. Factors you need to consider is your past health history, your current health and what diseases and conditions run in your family. The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) recommends that all people older than 20 years should have a lipid panel done every 5 years. If the test is abnormal, then testing may need to be more often. You can check out the NCEP guidelines here. The American College of Physicians (ACP) recommends testing men over the age of 35 and women over the age of 45 unless there is a family history of heart disease or other risk factors for heart disease are present. Click here for the guidelines for a cholesterol test as recommended by the American College of Physicians.
What if My Triglyceride Level is Above Normal?
Certain medications may cause high triglycerides. Are you taking any of the following meds?
- Birth control pills
- Steroids
- Diuretics
- Beta-blockers
- Tamoxifen
- Estrogen
Certain diseases and conditions may cause elevated triglyceride levels. Do you have any of the following ?
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Hypothyroidism
- Obesity
And, finally, excessive alcohol consumption can cause your triglyceride level to be higher than normal. What’s excessive? More than one drink per day- one glass of wine, one bottle of beer or one ounce of hard liquor. If your triglyceride level falls above the normal range, consider having the test repeated before you make any decisions of treatment. Laboratories can make mistakes. Be sure to fast from all food and all drink except water for no less than twelve hours before you get your blood drawn. If, when you get the results from the second test, you find that your triglyceride level is high, then it’s time to look at what is causing the problem and what you need to do to lower your triglycerides to a normal level. Following the guidelines set by the American Heart Association: normal triglyceride levels are triglycerides less than 150 mg/dl Triglycerides are tested on blood taken after fasting overnight- preferably 12 hours.
What Tests Check My Triglyceride Levels?
Usually your triglyceride level is checked as part of the lipid panel, which also checks your cholesterol level. If your doctor says he is going to have your cholesterol checked, that is typically with the lipid panel test. If you look at the test results, you may see the abbreviations TG or TRIG. These refer to ‘trigylcerides’.
Why is This Considered Normal?
After collecting the results of vast numbers of lab tests, the data is calculated and the level that 95% of the population falls within is considered the normal triglyceride level. The data is further calculated to determine the other ranges we have for triglyceride levels. Here are the levels as per the National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines:
| Normal | Less than 150 mg/dL |
| Borderline-high | 150 to 199 mg/dL |
| High | 200 to 499 mg/dL |
| Very high | 500 mg/dL or higher |
Again, these are triglyceride levels based on a fasting sample. If your level falls within the normal range, good for you. But do take a look at the rest of the lipid panel to make sure your cholesterol level is ok, along with your HDL and LDL levels of cholesterol.
How Often Should I Get Tested?
There is some disagreement about how often routine screening for high triglycerides and other lipid disorders should be done. Factors you need to consider is your past health history, your current health and what diseases and conditions run in your family. The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) recommends that all people older than 20 years should have a lipid panel done every 5 years. If the test is abnormal, then testing may need to be more often. You can check out the NCEP guidelines here. The American College of Physicians (ACP) recommends testing men over the age of 35 and women over the age of 45 unless there is a family history of heart disease or other risk factors for heart disease are present. Click here for the guidelines for a cholesterol test as recommended by the American College of Physicians.
What if My Triglyceride Level is Above Normal?
Certain medications may cause high triglycerides. Are you taking any of the following meds?
- Birth control pills
- Steroids
- Diuretics
- Beta-blockers
- Tamoxifen
- Estrogen
Certain diseases and conditions may cause elevated triglyceride levels. Do you have any of the following ?
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Hypothyroidism
- Obesity
And, finally, excessive alcohol consumption can cause your triglyceride level to be higher than normal. What’s excessive? More than one drink per day- one glass of wine, one bottle of beer or one ounce of hard liquor. If your triglyceride level falls above the normal range, consider having the test repeated before you make any decisions of treatment. Laboratories can make mistakes. Be sure to fast from all food and all drink except water for no less than twelve hours before you get your blood drawn. If, when you get the results from the second test, you find that your triglyceride level is high, then it’s time to look at what is causing the problem and what you need to do to lower your triglycerides to a normal level.
