What it measures
Triglycerides are the main type of fat carried in the blood. They come from food and are also made by the liver, and the level rises for several hours after a meal. The test is usually part of a lipid (cholesterol) profile.
Why people test it
- Part of a standard lipid profile, read with cholesterol results to assess heart and circulation risk.
- Checked in people with diabetes, fatty liver or high alcohol intake, which can raise levels.
- Monitored in people taking cholesterol-lowering medicines.
Typical range
Ranges vary between labs with the method used, age and sex, and your report shows the lab's own range. One NHS trust's lab uses below 2.3 mmol/L for a fasting sample. Source: Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust: Blood Sciences Reference Range Database v3.20.
Finger-prick or vein?
A finger-prick sample is usually fine for triglycerides.
Triglycerides rise for several hours after eating, so some labs and providers ask for a fasting sample.