Are Your Triglycerides in the Normal Range? What’s Healthy, What’s High & What’s Dangerous

If you’ve just looked at your lab results and noticed a triglyceride number, you might be wondering: Is this normal, what am I supposed to do with this?

Triglycerides are a type of fat in your blood that your body uses to store extra energy from the food you eat. They’re measured on most routine cholesterol or “lipid” panels, right alongside your cholesterol numbers. Many people only learn about triglycerides when a test comes back borderline or high.

This article will walk you through what your triglyceride level means, when it becomes a concern, and when it’s important to talk with a doctor.

What Are Normal Triglyceride Levels?

Triglyceride levels are reported in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). For most adults, triglyceride levels fall into four main categories:

These cutoffs are only guidelines, and your doctor will always interpret them in the context of your overall health. However, here is a breakdown of what each level generally means:

Normal Triglyceride Levels: Under 150 mg/dL

A triglyceride level under 150 mg/dL is considered normal for most adults. Some doctors consider levels under 100 mg/dL “ideal,” especially for people with other heart risk factors. A normal result doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to be free of heart disease, but it does mean triglycerides are unlikely to be a major driver of your risk at the time.

Borderline High Triglyceride Levels: 150-199 mg/dL

Borderline high triglycerides are very common and are thought of as an early warning sign, not an emergency. Levels in this range may:

• Signal that your body is starting to store more fat in the bloodstream
• Travel together with other risk factors like elevated blood pressure, extra weight around the waist, or higher blood sugar

For many people, this stage is an opportunity to make changes that can help prevent heart disease before more serious problems develop.

If you receive borderline high triglyceride results, don’t panic, this is a nudge to take your numbers seriously and work with a provider on next steps, especially if they stay in this range on repeat testing.

High Triglyceride Levels: 200-499 mg/dL

Triglycerides in the 200-499 mg/dL range are considered high. At this range, research shows a link between elevated triglycerides and:

• Higher risk of heart disease and and stroke
• Metabolic problems such as insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes
• Other lipid abnormalities (like low HDL, the “good” cholesterol)

However, if you have a high result it doesn’t mean you’re destined for a heart attack but it does mean your doctor will likely recommend more active steps which often include lifestyle changes, closer monitoring, and sometimes medication.

Very High: 500 mg/dL and Above

Triglycerides at 500 mg/dL or higher are very high. This is what level of triglycerides is dangerous and the priority is not just long-term heart health but also preventing a serious condition called acute pancreatitis. Pancreatitis can cause:

• Severe abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Hospitalization and, in serious cases, complications that affect other organs

The higher the number climbs above 500 mg/dL, especially once it’s over 1,000 mg/dL, the higher the risk becomes. Very high triglycerides should not be ignored and always deserve prompt medical follow-up.

What If Your Triglycerides Are Borderline or High?

If your result came back in the borderline (150–199 mg/dL) or high (200–499 mg/dL) range, you’re not alone, and there’s no reason for panic. It is possible to bring your triglycerides down with the right information and support.

Next steps include:

• Talking to your doctor about results - Your provider may repeat the test, especially if you weren’t fasting, were sick, or the result is very different from your usual numbers.
• Reviewing possible contributors - There are many things that can affect your numbers  like diet patterns, alcohol, weight changes, certain medications, blood sugar, thyroid issues and even family history can all play a role.
• Looking at the rest of your labs - Your triglyceride level is interpreted alongside LDL, HDL, total cholesterol, and blood sugar to understand your overall risk and in knowing the next best steps.

When to Talk to a Doctor About High Triglycerides

Understanding your triglyceride level is an important step, but you don’t have to interpret or manage it on your own. You also don’t have to wait until your numbers are in the “very high” range to ask for help and see a cardiologist. It’s a good idea to schedule a visit if:

• Your triglycerides are 150 mg/dL or higher, especially on more than one test
• Your levels are 200 mg/dL or higher, or rising compared to prior labs
• You have other risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, prediabetes, or a family history of heart disease
• Your result is 500 mg/dL or higher at any point
• You’re simply not sure what your numbers mean or what to do next

At Advanced Medical Care, our cardiologists and internal medicine specialists help patients throughout Queens and Brooklyn:

• Make sense of triglyceride, cholesterol, and blood pressure results
• Identify hidden risk factors for heart disease, stroke, and pancreatitis
• Develop realistic, personalized plans to bring numbers into a healthier range

Depending on your needs, we may recommend:

• Detailed lipid and metabolic evaluations
  Heart tests such as EKGs and echocardiograms
• Screening and treatment for conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or metabolic syndrome
• Ongoing monitoring and guidance to keep you on track
  
  

If you’re concerned about a recent triglyceride result, or simply want to stay ahead of heart disease, please call us at 347-571-9389 (Queens) or 929-552-2973 (Brooklyn) to schedule an appointment, or book online to get started. We’re here to help you move in the right direction towards better health

Frequently Asked Questions About Triglyceride Levels

What is a normal triglyceride level for adults?

For most adults, a fasting triglyceride level under 150 mg/dL is considered normal, and under 100 mg/dL may be ideal, especially if you have other risk factors for heart disease. Levels of 150-199 mg/dL are borderline high, 200-499 mg/dL are high, and 500 mg/dL or higher are very high.

Can triglyceride levels change quickly?

Yes. Triglycerides naturally rise after you eat, especially after a heavy or high-fat meal. They can also be affected by alcohol intake, illness, medications, and changes in weight or blood sugar. That’s why triglycerides are usually measured after 8-12 hours of fasting, and why your doctor may repeat a test if a result seems unusually high or out of character.

Are triglycerides more important than cholesterol?

Both are important. Triglycerides are one part of your lipid profile, and higher levels are linked to a greater risk of heart disease, especially when combined with abnormal cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes. LDL (“bad”) cholesterol is still a major driver of artery plaque, but elevated triglycerides add to your overall risk, which is why your doctor pays attention to both.

Can high triglycerides be temporary?

A single high reading can be influenced by a big meal, alcohol, certain medications, pregnancy, or a temporary illness. However, if your triglycerides stay high on repeated tests, it’s more likely they reflect an ongoing issue that needs attention. Your doctor can help figure out whether your result is a short-term spike or part of a longer pattern.