Biomarker Glossary
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in your blood. A triglycerides blood test measures the amount in mmol/L and is part of a standard UK lipid profile alongside cholesterol. High triglycerides raise your risk of heart disease, stroke and pancreatitis.
Also known as: TG, Blood Fat
Triglycerides is most informative when read alongside related markers like Cholesterol and HbA1c. A single number rarely tells the whole story. If your reading sits outside the typical range, share the full report with your GP or healthcare professional before drawing conclusions.
What is Triglycerides?
Triglycerides are fats that your body uses for energy. When you eat more calories than you burn, especially from sugar and alcohol, the excess is converted into triglycerides and stored in fat cells.
Between meals, hormones release triglycerides from storage for energy. A blood test captures the level circulating in your bloodstream, which is influenced by recent meals (especially fat and carbohydrate intake), alcohol, and your overall metabolic health.
Triglycerides are tested as part of a standard UK lipid profile alongside total cholesterol, HDL and LDL. High triglycerides are an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and, at very high levels, can trigger acute pancreatitis.
Why test Triglycerides?
- To assess cardiovascular risk alongside cholesterol.
- To screen for metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
- To monitor the impact of weight loss, diet changes, alcohol reduction or medications.
- Anyone with central obesity, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes or fatty liver should know their triglyceride level.
To assess cardiovascular risk alongside cholesterol.
Triglycerides normal range (UK)
| Result | What it means |
|---|---|
| Below 1.7 mmol/L (fasting) | Normal |
| 1.7 to 2.2 mmol/L | Borderline high |
| 2.3 to 5.6 mmol/L | High |
| Above 5.6 mmol/L | Very high. Increased risk of pancreatitis. |
UK NHS thresholds. Non fasting triglycerides are typically 0.3 to 0.5 mmol/L higher than fasting values.
About these ranges. The ranges above are typical UK clinical lab ranges aligned to NHS and Royal College of Pathologists guidance. Your Chxhealth report will show the specific reference range used by our partner lab, Randox, for each marker. Lab ranges vary slightly between providers and assays. Always interpret your results in the context of the range printed on your own report.
What causes high Triglycerides?
- Diet high in sugar, refined carbohydrates and alcohol
- Being overweight, particularly with central obesity
- Lack of physical activity
- Type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance
- Hypothyroidism
- Kidney disease
- Pregnancy (mildly raised levels are normal)
- Some medications (steroids, beta blockers, oestrogen)
- Familial hypertriglyceridaemia (an inherited condition)
What causes low Triglycerides?
- Very low fat diet
- Hyperthyroidism
- Malabsorption (coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease)
- Malnutrition
- Some rare genetic conditions
Symptoms of high Triglycerides
- High triglycerides are usually symptomless.
- Very high levels (above 11 mmol/L) can cause yellow fatty deposits in the skin, abdominal pain, or acute pancreatitis.
- High triglycerides are often part of a wider metabolic syndrome picture: central weight gain, fatigue, raised blood pressure and elevated fasting glucose.
Symptoms of low Triglycerides
- Low triglycerides on their own rarely cause symptoms.
- If part of a wider malabsorption or thyroid problem, you may notice unexplained weight loss, fatigue or digestive issues.
How is Triglycerides tested?
Triglycerides are measured from a blood sample. For the most accurate result, fast for 9 to 12 hours (water only) before the test.
Avoid alcohol for 24 to 48 hours before testing, as alcohol acutely raises triglycerides.
Chxhealth samples are analysed by Randox, a UK laboratory accredited by UKAS. Results return in 3 to 5 working days.
How to support healthy Triglycerides levels
- Reduce sugar and refined carbohydrates. Triglycerides respond more strongly to carbohydrate restriction than to fat restriction.
- Cut back on alcohol. Even moderate drinking can significantly raise triglycerides in sensitive people.
- Eat oily fish twice a week. Omega 3 fats lower triglycerides directly.
- Lose weight if needed. A 5 to 10 percent reduction can lower triglycerides by 20 percent or more.
- Move more. Aerobic exercise specifically lowers triglycerides.
These are general lifestyle suggestions. Chxhealth is an information service. For personal medical advice, please speak to a healthcare professional.
Chxhealth panels that test Triglycerides
17 Chxhealth biomarker panels include Triglycerides. Each is analysed by Randox, a UK laboratory accredited by UKAS. Reports are delivered in 3 to 5 working days.
- Acute Med 1
- Basic Screen
- Fertility Panel
- Heart Health
- Lipid Profile
- Lipids HbA1c
- Long Covid
- Metabolic Syndrome Extended
- Nutritional and Digestive Health
- Nutritional Health
- Sports Performance
- Advanced Biohacking
- View all 17 panels that include Triglycerides
Triglycerides FAQs
What is a normal triglyceride level?
Below 1.7 mmol/L when fasting. Levels between 1.7 and 2.2 are borderline, above 2.2 are high, and above 5.6 mmol/L is very high and raises the risk of pancreatitis.
Do I need to fast for a triglycerides test?
Yes. For the most accurate triglyceride reading, fast for 9 to 12 hours and avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before the test.
What raises triglycerides quickly?
Alcohol, sugar and refined carbohydrate intake all raise triglycerides within hours to days. A single heavy meal or night of drinking can double a fasting reading.
Can omega 3 lower triglycerides?
Yes. High dose omega 3 (typically 2 to 4 grams of EPA and DHA per day) reliably lowers triglycerides by 20 to 30 percent. Speak to a healthcare professional before starting high dose supplements.
What is the difference between triglycerides and cholesterol?
Both are fats found in your blood, but they have different roles. Cholesterol is used to build cells and hormones, while triglycerides are an energy store. Both are measured in a standard lipid profile and both contribute to cardiovascular risk.
Often tested with Triglycerides
The biomarkers below are commonly investigated alongside Triglycerides because they reveal connected aspects of the same physiological picture:
- Cholesterol: Standard lipid panel pair.
- HbA1c: Often raised together in insulin-resistant patterns.
- Insulin: Fasting insulin links the two as both respond to glucose dysregulation.
- ALT: Fatty liver disease often raises both triglycerides and ALT.
Choose the right test for your goal
If you are reading about Triglycerides because of a specific health goal, our buying guides walk you through which Chxhealth panels fit:
Sources and further reading
This page is informed by guidance from the NHS, NICE, Royal College of Pathologists and other UK authoritative bodies. For deeper detail or to verify the information, see:
- NHS: High cholesterol
- British Heart Foundation: Triglycerides
- NICE NG238: Lipid modification guidance
- Lab Tests Online UK: Triglycerides
About this page. Last reviewed: 13 May 2026. Next scheduled review: May 2027. This page has not yet been independently reviewed by a clinician. It is written from authoritative UK medical guidance (NHS, NICE, Royal College of Pathologists, peer-reviewed sources) but has not undergone formal clinical sign off.
Important. Chxhealth is a UK information service. We do not diagnose, treat or prescribe. The reference ranges and information on this page are general educational content and should not be used as a substitute for advice from a qualified healthcare professional. For any concerns about your health or results, please speak to your GP or another healthcare professional.