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A triglyceride level that is too high is common in young people. According to the American Heart Association, 10% to 20% of children and teens in the United States have a level that is too high.[1]
On this page you can read what triglycerides are, what the guidelines say about a level that is too low or too high, what affects your level and which other levels are best to look at alongside it.
Also known as: TG, TRIG, triglycerides test, part of a lipid profile. At the lab: TRG.
Triglycerides are a type of fat in your blood. You need them for good health. Your body uses them as fuel.[2]
Do you eat more calories than you need? Then your body turns that extra into triglycerides and stores them in your fat cells. When your body needs energy, your cells release triglycerides into your blood. That is how your muscles get fuel.[2]
The test is usually part of a lipid profile. That is a group of tests that measures the fats in your blood, such as triglycerides and cholesterol.[2]
A high triglyceride level can affect your arteries. According to MedlinePlus, that can raise your risk of conditions of the heart, the coronary arteries and the blood vessels, including those in the brain.[2]
In adults and children, a very high level also raises the risk of a sudden inflammation of the pancreas.[2]
A high level usually causes no symptoms. That is why MedlinePlus calls regular testing important.[2]
In children and young people, a high level is getting more and more attention. It is linked to being overweight, to how the body responds to insulin and to fat in the liver. If the level stays high for a long time, it can raise the risk of heart and blood vessel conditions.[1]
Labplusarts, the lab BioProfile works with, uses a reference range of 0.0 to 2.2 mmol/l for triglycerides. The lab calls a level between those limits normal.[3]
| Value | What it can mean | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 150 mg/dL[2] | Healthy | Adults |
| 150 to 199 mg/dL[2] | Borderline high | Adults |
| 200 to 499 mg/dL[2] | High | Adults |
| 500 mg/dL and above[2] | Very high | Adults |
Source: MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), standard guidelines for adults, in mg/dL. Different guidelines apply to children and teens.[2]
According to MedlinePlus, a triglyceride level that is too low is very unusual.[2]
A level above normal can point to a higher risk of conditions of the heart, the blood vessels in the brain and the arteries. A very high level raises the risk of a sudden inflammation of the pancreas.[2]
BioProfile is working on its own zones for each value, from risk to optimal. A doctor reviews those zones before they appear in your result.
Eating a lot of food that is high in fat and sugar can raise your level. The same goes for other fast carbohydrates, such as products made with white flour. Too little exercise also plays a part.[2]
Being overweight is one of the possible causes of a high level. So is a problem with alcohol use.[2]
Some conditions can raise your level, such as a kidney, liver or thyroid condition, or blood sugar that is not well controlled. A high level can also run in the family. Some medicines play a part too, such as water tablets.[2]
You may need to fast for 9 to 12 hours before your blood is taken. That means no eating or drinking. Your healthcare provider will tell you whether this is needed.[2]
Triglycerides are included in BioProfile 77, 98, 121 and 150.[4]
The BioProfile editorial team wrote this page on 6 October 2026 from the sources below, which we read on 6 October 2026. Every number on this page appears in one of those sources, with that source's number next to it. An expert will still review this page; after that review, the expert's name and the date of the review will appear at the top. This page explains, it does not diagnose. Discuss an abnormal result with your GP.
