Triglyceride test

What is a Triglyceride Test?

A triglyceride test measures the number of triglycerides in your blood. Triglycerides are a type of fat in your body. However, the extra calories turn into triglycerides, If you consume more calories than you need. These triglycerides are kept in fat cells for after use. When your body needs energy, triglycerides are released into your bloodstream to give energy for your muscles to work.

If you eat more calories than you burn, especially calories from carbohydrates and fats, you may have high levels of triglycerides in your blood. High triglycerides can put you at a higher risk of heart attack or stroke.

Other names for a triglyceride test: TG, TRIG, lipid panel, fasting lipoprotein panel

What is it Used for?

A triglyceride test is usually part of a lipid profile. Lipid is another word for fat. A lipid profile is a test that measures the position of fats in your blood, including triglycerides and cholesterol, a waxy fatty substance found in every cell in your body. If you have high levels of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides, you may have a higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

Your health care provider may order a lipid profile as part of a routine checkup or to diagnose or monitor heart problems.

Why do I Need a Triglyceride Test?

Healthy adults should have a lipid profile, including a triglyceride test, every four to six years. You may need to be tested more often if you have certain risk factors for heart disease. These include:

• Family history of heart disease.

• To smoke

• To be overweight

• Unhealthy eating habits.

• lack of exercise

• Diabetes

• high blood pressure

• To get old. Men 45 and older and women 50 and older are at increased risk of heart disease

What Happens During a Triglyceride Test?

A triglyceride test is a blood test. During the test, a healthcare professional will take a sample of blood from a vein in your arm with a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a little quantity of blood will be collected in a test tube or vial. You may feel a slight sting as the needle goes in or out. It usually carries less than five minutes.

Do I Need to Do Anything to Ready for the Exam?

You may need to fast (not eat or drink) for 9 to 12 hours before having your blood drawn. Your health care provider will let you know if you need to fast and if there are any special instructions you need to follow.

Is There a Risk in the Test?

There are very few risks in taking a blood test. You may feel slight pain or bruising where the needle was placed, but most symptoms go away quickly.

What do the Results Mean?

Triglycerides are usually counted in milligrams (mg) of triglycerides per deciliter (dL) of blood. For adults, results are generally categorized as follows:

• Normal/desirable triglyceride range: less than 150 mg/dL

• High triglyceride limit range: 150 to 199 mg/dL

• High triglyceride range: 200 to 499 mg/dL

• Very high triglyceride range: 500 mg/dL and above

Higher than normal triglyceride levels can put you at risk for heart disease. To lower your levels and reduce your risk, your healthcare provider may recommend lifestyle changes and/or prescribe medications.

If your results were borderline high, your provider may advise:

• Losing weight

• Adopt a healthier diet

• Exercise more

• Reduce alcohol consumption

• Take medicine to lower cholesterol.

If your results were high or very high, your provider may recommend the same lifestyle changes as above and also for you:

• Follow a very low fat diet

• Lose a significant amount of weight

• Take medications or medications designed to lower triglycerides.

Be sure to speak with your healthcare provider before making any major changes to your diet or exercise routine.