Lipid Panel

Triglycerides

Q: What causes a high Triglycerides?

Common causes of a high Triglycerides: Poorly controlled diabetes; Obesity and high-carbohydrate diet; Alcohol; Hypothyroidism.

Q: What causes a low Triglycerides?

Common causes of a low Triglycerides: Malnutrition; Hyperthyroidism.

Q: What risk threshold is taught for Triglycerides?

For Triglycerides, the commonly taught risk threshold is: > 500 mg/dL raises pancreatitis risk.

Normal range < 150 normal mg/dL (< 1.7 normal mmol/L SI). Specimen: Serum (fasting 9-12 h).

Also known as: TG, trigs.

< 150 normal mg/dLRisk threshold: read below

Reference range

This result is reported qualitatively or as a one-sided threshold rather than a two-sided numeric band.

Combined adult band. LabVals does not publish separate men's, women's, or pediatric ranges for Triglycerides; those can be narrower than the band shown.

Triglycerides reference range, specimen, and conversion details
Specimen	Serum (fasting 9-12 h)
Conventional range	< 150 normal mg/dL
SI range	< 1.7 normal mmol/L
Conversion factor	×0.0113 (conventional → SI)
Risk threshold	> 500 mg/dL raises pancreatitis risk
Panel	Lipid Panel

Convert any Triglycerides result between units on the unit converter.

What is the normal range for Triglycerides?

The standard teaching reference range for Triglycerides is < 150 normal mg/dL in conventional units, or < 1.7 normal mmol/L in SI units. This value is measured in serum (fasting 9-12 h).

What risk threshold is taught for Triglycerides?

For Triglycerides, the commonly taught risk threshold is: > 500 mg/dL raises pancreatitis risk.

Source: Adult reference values compiled from Pagana & Pagana, Mosby's Diagnostic and Laboratory Test Reference, and Fischbach & Dunning, A Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests. Reference ranges vary by laboratory, method, age, sex, and population - always use the range printed on the actual result.

Above the range

What causes a high Triglycerides?

Poorly controlled diabetes
Obesity and high-carbohydrate diet
Alcohol
Hypothyroidism

What causes a high Triglycerides? Read as its own page

Below the range

What causes a low Triglycerides?

Malnutrition
Hyperthyroidism

What causes a low Triglycerides? Read as its own page

At the bedside

Nursing considerations

Requires a true 9-12 hour fast; a recent meal falsely elevates it.
Very high levels can trigger acute pancreatitis.

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