Triglycerides are a type of fat that is essential for good health. They come from food or are produced by the liver, and they help provide the body with energy and transport fats throughout the body.

Although triglycerides are essential for normal body function, high triglyceride levels are associated with a higher risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Very high levels can also increase the risk of pancreatitis.

To help manage high triglycerides, regular physical activity and a diet low in added sugar, refined carbohydrates, and saturated fat are recommended. Limiting or avoiding alcohol is also important, particularly when triglyceride levels are very high.

Functions of triglycerides

The main functions of triglycerides are:

Providing energy to support normal body function;
Storing excess calories from the diet so the body can use them for energy when needed;
Transporting fatty acids, or fats, throughout the body.

Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in the body. They come from food or are produced by the liver and stored as fat in cells.

Although triglycerides are essential for energy and normal body function, excess triglycerides, known as hypertriglyceridemia, are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and pancreatitis.

Triglyceride levels chart

For adults, fasting triglyceride levels are generally interpreted as follows:

Triglyceride level	Fasting value	Clinical significance
Normal	Less than 150 mg/dL	Below the threshold used to define hypertriglyceridemia
Elevated	150 to 499 mg/dL	Hypertriglyceridemia; lifestyle management and cardiovascular risk assessment are recommended
Severe	500 to 999 mg/dL	Increased risk of pancreatitis; more intensive dietary and medical management may be needed
Very severe	1,000 mg/dL or higher	Pancreatitis risk is particularly high and triglyceride-lowering treatment is prioritized

A nonfasting triglyceride level of 175 mg/dL or higher is also considered elevated and should prompt evaluation of lifestyle factors and other possible causes.

For children and adolescents, triglyceride levels are interpreted according to age:

Age	Acceptable	Borderline high	High
0 to 9 years	Less than 75 mg/dL	75 to 99 mg/dL	100 mg/dL or higher
10 to 19 years	Less than 90 mg/dL	90 to 129 mg/dL	130 mg/dL or higher

Triglyceride test

A doctor may order a triglyceride test as part of a lipid panel to assess cardiovascular risk. It may be especially useful for people with risk factors such as high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, or a family history of lipid disorders or cardiovascular disease.

The test may also be ordered periodically to monitor how well lifestyle changes or medication are controlling triglyceride and cholesterol levels.

A triglyceride test is performed using a blood sample drawn from a vein in the arm. Fasting is not always required for routine lipid screening, although a fasting lipid test may be needed when triglyceride levels are elevated, when severe hypertriglyceridemia is suspected, or when a doctor needs a more accurate assessment for treatment decisions.

High triglycerides

Triglyceride levels of 150 mg/dL or higher when fasting are considered elevated. Persistently elevated triglycerides are associated with an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Triglyceride levels of 500 mg/dL or higher are considered severe and are associated with an increased risk of acute pancreatitis. This risk becomes particularly high when triglycerides reach 1,000 mg/dL or higher.

Symptoms of high triglycerides

High triglycerides usually do not cause symptoms. However, when triglyceride levels become extremely high, fat can build up under the skin and form small fatty deposits called xanthomas.

Very high triglyceride levels may also be associated with abdominal pain or lipemia retinalis, a milky appearance of the retinal blood vessels.

Causes of high triglycerides

High triglycerides can be caused by several factors, including:

Excessive calorie intake;
Physical inactivity;
Excessive alcohol consumption;
Being overweight or having obesity;
Smoking;
Medical conditions such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, hypothyroidism, kidney disease, and gout;
Diets high in added sugar, refined carbohydrates, or fructose.

In addition, some medications, such as thiazide diuretics, corticosteroids, beta-blockers, hormones, and immunosuppressants, can increase triglyceride levels as a side effect.

In some cases, high triglycerides have a genetic cause. Genetic lipid disorders can interfere with the body's ability to properly break down and clear triglyceride-rich particles from the blood.

How to lower triglycerides

Lifestyle changes are the first-line approach for managing elevated triglycerides. A doctor may recommend reducing added sugar, refined carbohydrates, saturated fat, and alcohol, as well as addressing other conditions that may contribute to high triglyceride levels.

For fasting triglyceride levels between 150 and 499 mg/dL, a diet low in added sugar, refined carbohydrates, and saturated fat and with minimal alcohol intake is recommended.

For fasting triglyceride levels between 500 and 999 mg/dL, alcohol should be avoided and total fat intake may need to be restricted in addition to reducing added sugar, refined carbohydrates, and saturated fat. Read more about the low triglyceride diet and which foods to eat and avoid.

For triglyceride levels of 1,000 mg/dL or higher, a very-low-fat diet and avoidance of alcohol and added sugars are generally recommended to help rapidly lower triglycerides and reduce the risk of pancreatitis.

Regular physical activity is also important. Adults should generally aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week, along with resistance exercise on at least 2 days per week.

For people who are overweight or have obesity, losing approximately 5% to 10% of body weight can also help reduce triglyceride levels.

Medication for triglycerides

When lifestyle changes are not enough, medication may be recommended based on triglyceride levels and overall cardiovascular and pancreatitis risk.

Statins remain an important first-line medication for reducing cardiovascular risk in many adults with elevated triglycerides, particularly when treatment is also indicated based on LDL cholesterol and overall cardiovascular risk.

For adults with persistently elevated triglycerides between 150 and 499 mg/dL who have established cardiovascular disease, or certain adults with diabetes and additional cardiovascular risk factors, a doctor may consider prescription icosapent ethyl in addition to statin therapy.

For severe hypertriglyceridemia, particularly triglyceride levels of 500 mg/dL or higher, fibrates or prescription omega-3 fatty acids may be considered to lower triglycerides and reduce the risk of pancreatitis.

Olezarsen is an FDA-approved treatment that can be used with diet to reduce triglycerides in adults with severe hypertriglyceridemia. Treatment choices depend on triglyceride levels, the underlying cause, other health conditions, and medications already being used.

Over-the-counter omega-3 dietary supplements are not considered substitutes for prescription omega-3 medications used to treat high triglycerides.

Low triglycerides

Low triglyceride levels are uncommon and usually do not cause significant health problems.

They may be associated with conditions such as malnutrition, malabsorption, or hyperthyroidism, or may occur in people taking lipid-lowering medications such as statins.

Triglycerides: Low or High Levels & Management (2026 Guidelines)