Triglyceride levels indicate the amount of these fats in the blood. Levels may vary based on age and other factors. A simple blood test can determine an individual’s levels.

Triglyceride levels may indicate overall health and higher levels may increase the risk of health issues. A balanced, nutritious diet and certain lifestyle choices can help keep triglyceride levels within an appropriate range.

Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in the body. The body naturally makes triglycerides, but they may also come from the food a person eats.

When the body does not need to immediately use all the calories from a meal, it converts the leftover calories from food , especially carbohydrates, into triglycerides.

The body can store these triglycerides for later use when it needs more energy.

Triglyceride levels naturally increase after a meal. Desirable levels are typically below 150 milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dl).

Fasting causes the triglyceride levels to go down.

Because of this, fasting triglyceride levels are naturally lower. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute indicates fasting triglyceride levels are typically below 150 mg/dl for adults and lower than 90 mg/dl for children over age 10.

On the other hand, regularly eating more calories than the body can use may lead to higher triglyceride levels. Other factors, such as exercise, smoking, and other health conditions, can also affect these levels.

High triglyceride levels alone do not often cause symptoms, so a person may not know if they have high levels.

However, checking triglyceride levels is crucial because they are a risk factor for some conditions, including heart disease and stroke.

Checking triglyceride levels is straightforward, requiring a simple blood test.

Doctors may ask a person to fast for 8 to 12 hours before the test to check for fasting triglyceride levels. This may help give a better picture of a person’s overall levels.

The test measures levels as milligrams of triglycerides per deciliter of blood (mg/dl)

Adults

While this may vary slightly, doctors typically classify triglyceride levels in adults into the following categories:

  • Healthy: under 150 mg/dl
  • Borderline high: 150 to 199 mg/dl
  • High: 200 to 499 mg/dl
  • Very high: over 500 mg/dl

Numbers may vary based on a person’s age and other risk factors they may have.

Children and teenagers

Children may have slightly lower triglyceride levels than adults. Fasting triglyceride levels for children under age 10 are less than 75 mg/dl.

The ranges for children under age 10 are:

  • Normal: under 75 mg/dl
  • Borderline high: 75 to 99 mg/dl
  • High: over 100 mg/dl

The ranges for children and teenagers ages 10 to 19 are slightly higher:

  • Normal: under 90 mg/dl
  • Borderline high: 90 to 129 mg/dl
  • High: over 130 mg/dl

The American Heart Association notes that several factors may contribute to higher triglyceride levels, including:

Some medications may also alter the body’s triglyceride levels. These may include:

Before taking medication for high triglyceride levels, it’s important to talk with a healthcare professional about how to take it correctly and potential side effects.

Maintaining a moderate weight through diet and exercise is often the first line of treatment doctors recommend to lower triglyceride levels and keep them within range.

Diet

Diet is an important factor in maintaining triglycerides at an appropriate level.

In general, it is important to avoid excess calories and only consume the amount the body will use that day as energy. A 2021 report lists some dietary tips for managing triglyceride and cholesterol levels. It recommends eating a diet that includes:

  • certain vegetables
  • some fruits
  • fiber-rich whole grains
  • legumes
  • some lean protein sources, such as lean meats, fat-free dairy, fish and seafood, and nuts
  • liquid oils, such as olive oil, canola oil, soybean oil, and corn oil

Additionally, it is important to limit or eliminate the following:

Recommendations can vary from person to person depending on their triglyceride levels. It’s always best to check with a healthcare professional to determine what amount of a certain food is safe to consume.

Exercise

Exercise is an important aspect of health for everyone. It helps a person maintain a moderate weight and may also help keep triglyceride levels low. Exercise promotes calorie burning, which may encourage the body to use extra triglycerides for energy.

The current Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans note that, in general, adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous, high intensity aerobic physical activity per week.

Supplements and medications

Sometimes, if a person needs to reduce their triglyceride levels quickly or does not respond to diet and exercise, doctors may prescribe supplements or medications to help lower triglyceride levels. These may include:

  • fish oil
  • bempedoic acid
  • fibrates
  • statins

Supplements or medications that lower triglycerides could interact with other medications a person is taking.

Therefore, as with medications, take supplements under the direct guidance of a healthcare professional.

While high triglyceride levels typically do not cause symptoms, anyone who thinks they may have high triglyceride or cholesterol levels should contact their doctor.

Sudden or severe abdominal pain may also be a reason to seek medical care, as very high triglycerides can increase the risk of acute pancreatitis. This is a serious condition that requires immediate treatment.

A doctor would usually measure triglyceride and cholesterol levels at the same time because high levels of either may contribute to heart conditions.

Sometimes, a doctor may recommend drug therapy. This is most likely when a person has dangerously high triglyceride levels that need to come down quickly or if their levels do not respond to lifestyle and dietary changes.

Triglyceride levels are an important marker for heart health and overall health. Maintaining triglyceride levels within an appropriate range may help reduce the risk of heart disease and other disorders.

Sometimes, a doctor may recommend medications for people with triglyceride levels outside the desired range.

However, most people can reduce their triglyceride levels by following a nutritious, balanced diet and exercising as regularly as possible.