Triglycerides Test Results Explained: What Your Number Means

Triglycerides results, explained

Enter your value to see whether it falls in the typical range and what that means. This is an educational explainer — not a diagnosis, and your entry never leaves your browser.

Enter your Triglycerides value

mg/dL

To convert from mmol/L, multiply by about 88.5. Best measured after fasting.

This is educational, not a diagnosis. Reference ranges vary between labs and assays — the range printed on your report is the one that applies to you, and a single value is interpreted with your history and symptoms by a clinician. Your entry stays in your browser; nothing is stored or sent anywhere.

Reference ranges: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) — Blood Cholesterol. View source

What Triglycerides measures

Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in the blood; high levels are associated with heart disease and, when very high, with pancreatitis.

Why the test is done

As part of a lipid panel, ideally after a period of fasting.

Typical reference ranges

Typical adult reference bands for Triglycerides (mg/dL)
Band	What it may mean
Normal	A fasting triglyceride level below 150 mg/dL is normal.
Borderline high	150–199 mg/dL is borderline high; lifestyle changes such as reducing refined carbs and alcohol often help.
High	200–499 mg/dL is high and usually prompts a clinical conversation about causes and treatment.
Very high	500 mg/dL or above is very high and needs prompt medical attention because of the risk of pancreatitis.

Ranges shown are typical adult values from NHLBI, National Institutes of Health; your own lab's printed range applies to you. View source.

Frequently asked questions

What is a normal triglyceride level?

A fasting level below 150 mg/dL is normal; 150–199 is borderline high, 200–499 is high, and 500 mg/dL or above is very high and needs prompt medical attention.