Triglycerides
Fat molecules circulating in your blood, strongly linked to diet, insulin resistance, and metabolic health.
Optimal Range
< 100 mg/dL (optimal) · < 150 mg/dL (normal)
Risk-Stratified Targets
| Population / Context | Target |
|---|---|
| Optimal (longevity) | < 80 mg/dL |
| Normal | < 150 mg/dL |
| Borderline high | 150–199 mg/dL |
| High | 200–499 mg/dL |
| Very high (pancreatitis risk) | ≥ 500 mg/dL |
| TG/HDL ratio — good insulin sensitivity | < 1.0 |
| TG/HDL ratio — likely insulin resistant | > 3.0 |
Why It Matters
High triglycerides are an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and a hallmark of metabolic syndrome. The triglyceride-to-HDL ratio is a powerful surrogate marker for insulin resistance.
Understanding Triglycerides
Triglycerides are the most common form of fat in your bloodstream, derived from dietary fat and produced by the liver from excess carbohydrates and alcohol. Elevated fasting triglycerides almost always indicate metabolic dysfunction — specifically, insulin resistance, excessive carbohydrate intake, or both.
The clinical significance of triglycerides extends well beyond cardiovascular risk. Elevated triglycerides are a core component of metabolic syndrome, and they are one of the earliest metabolic markers to rise when insulin resistance develops. The triglyceride-to-HDL ratio (TG/HDL) is one of the most practical surrogate markers for insulin resistance available in routine blood work — a ratio below 1.0 (in mg/dL) suggests good insulin sensitivity, while a ratio above 3.0 suggests significant insulin resistance.
Very high triglycerides (>500 mg/dL) also carry a risk of acute pancreatitis. At moderate elevations, triglycerides contribute to cardiovascular risk both through their association with atherogenic remnant particles and through their role as a marker of the underlying metabolic dysfunction that drives disease.
Key Research
Triglycerides and Cardiovascular Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
Miller M et al. · Circulation (2011)
Key finding: Elevated triglycerides are an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and a marker of atherogenic dyslipidemia.