Can this result diagnose a condition on its own?

No. Laboratory results are interpreted with symptoms, medical history, sampling conditions, and related tests.

Which reference range or cutoff should I use?

Start with the performing laboratory's report and the purpose of testing; diagnostic cutoffs are separate sourced clinical thresholds.

When should I discuss the result with a healthcare professional?

Results that are clearly outside range, persistent, symptomatic, or unexpected should be reviewed by a healthcare professional.

Information about a laboratory test

High Triglycerides: What Does It Mean?

High triglycerides are associated with cardiometabolic risk; at very high levels, pancreatitis risk may become important.

Test summary

Test name: Triglycerides
Abbreviations: TG, TRIG
Category: Cardiometabolic / Lipids
Panel: Lipid Panel
Specimen: Serum / plasma
Common units: mg/dL, mmol/L

What does the test measure?

Measures triglycerides in the blood.

Why is the test ordered?

Part of the lipid panel; relevant to cardiometabolic risk and, at markedly high levels, pancreatitis risk.

Information about a low result

Low triglycerides are not usually a stand-alone clinical problem; nutrition and metabolic status can affect them.

Information about a high result

High triglycerides are associated with cardiometabolic risk; at very high levels, pancreatitis risk may become important.

Reference and clinical context

Use the laboratory report as context, but treatment goals and risk thresholds vary with age, cardiovascular risk, diabetes, kidney disease, and current therapy.

Reference context 1

< 150 mg/dL

Population: Adults
Age range: 20
Specimen: Serum / plasma

Healthy adult level

The source uses <150 mg/dL as the threshold for this context. Individual risk and laboratory context still matter.

Reference context 2

< 75 mg/dL

Population: Children
Age range: 0 – 9
Specimen: Serum / plasma

Acceptable pediatric level

This <75 mg/dL threshold is pediatric and should be applied with the stated age range and clinical context.

Reference context 3

< 90 mg/dL

Population: Children / adolescents
Age range: 10 – 19
Specimen: Serum / plasma

Acceptable pediatric level

This <90 mg/dL threshold is pediatric and should be applied with the stated age range and clinical context.

Reference ranges may vary by laboratory, method used, age, sex, pregnancy status, and clinical context. The reference range on your own laboratory report takes precedence.

Interpretation notes

Fasting status, recent food intake, alcohol, diabetes, and some medicines can affect the result. Interpret with LDL and HDL.

Related specialties

Cardiology
Internal Medicine
Endocrinology
Family Medicine
Pediatric Cardiology

Frequently asked questions

Sources

Cholesterol Levels — U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus)
Government medical reference · 2026 · Adult and pediatric total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and non-HDL healthy-level context · Verified: Aug 12, 2026
Lipid Profile Test — U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus)
Government medical encyclopedia · 2026 · Lipid panel components including LDL, HDL, triglycerides and VLDL · Verified: Aug 12, 2026
Triglycerides Test — U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus)
Government medical reference · 2026 · Triglyceride test purpose and combined lipid-risk context · Verified: Aug 12, 2026
2026 Guideline on the Management of Dyslipidemia – ACC/AHA release — American College of Cardiology / American Heart Association
Professional guideline summary · 2026 · Current dyslipidemia guidance; LDL/non-HDL goals, ApoB and Lp(a) risk assessment · Verified: Aug 12, 2026
Integrated Guidelines for Cardiovascular Health and Risk Reduction in Children and Adolescents — National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
U.S. government guideline · 2012 · Pediatric lipid cutoffs for total cholesterol, LDL, non-HDL, HDL, triglycerides and ApoB/ApoA1 · Verified: Aug 12, 2026