Triglycerides

Do you carry a few extra kilos around your waist, enjoy sweets or a glass of wine, and have heart disease in the family? The triglyceride test shows how much of this type of fat is in your blood. High triglycerides together with low HDL cholesterol increase the risk of heart and blood-vessel disease, while very high levels can cause inflammation of the pancreas.

Who is this test for

• adults as part of a preventive check-up and assessment of heart attack and stroke risk;
• people who are overweight, particularly around the waist, with diabetes, prediabetes or high blood pressure;
• people who regularly drink alcohol or eat many sweets, sweetened drinks and white flour;
• people whose close relatives had high blood lipids or heart disease at a younger age;
• people with an underactive thyroid or kidney disease;
• people taking medicines that can raise triglycerides, such as oestrogen, corticosteroids or isotretinoin for acne, and for monitoring treatment with lipid-lowering medicines.

What the test reveals

Triglycerides are the most common fats in the body and an important energy source. Some come directly from food, while the liver produces others from excess calories, particularly from sugar and alcohol. Their blood level rises after a meal and is usually highest three to four hours after eating.

Elevated triglycerides often occur together with low HDL cholesterol, excess weight and metabolic syndrome. They are therefore most often measured in the Lipid profile panel, alongside total, HDL and LDL cholesterol.

Panels including this test

Test Triglycerides is also included in these panels.

Lipid profile panelcholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides11.50€Details ›General preventive panelCBC, glucose, cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and 430.00€Details ›Extended lipid profile paneltotal cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, Apolipoprotein A, Apolipoprotein B and 450.00€Details ›

All panels including Triglycerides (15) ›

The test and preparation

The sample is blood from a vein, and collection takes a few minutes. Come fasting, with around 12 hours without food and water only, as for other blood lipids. Triglycerides rise after a meal, so a fasting result is more reliable and easier to compare with previous results.

Avoid alcohol and a large, fatty meal the day before, as they temporarily raise triglycerides. Take medicines as usual.

What your results mean

The reference interval is printed on the report. Fasting triglycerides below 1,7 mmol/L are considered desirable. The doctor interprets the report alongside cholesterol, blood sugar, pressure and your overall risk.

• Mildly to moderately elevated triglycerides most often result from excess weight, alcohol, sugary food and too little physical activity. Poorly controlled diabetes, an underactive thyroid, kidney disease, pregnancy, medicines and inherited susceptibility can also raise them. The doctor then assesses overall risk and sometimes also requests apolipoprotein B.
• Very high triglycerides, above 10 mmol/L, increase the risk of acute pancreatitis and require prompt medical assessment. If you have severe upper abdominal pain spreading to the back, with nausea or vomiting, call 194 or 112 immediately.
• Low triglycerides are usually insignificant. Rarely, they accompany an overactive thyroid, malnutrition or poor absorption of food in the gut.

How to arrange testing

You can come for blood collection without an appointment or referral at one of our branches throughout Croatia (listed on the Contact pagepage). Prices for all tests and panels are listed in the price list. Triglycerides with total, HDL and LDL cholesterol from the same sample are included in the Lipid profile panel.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to fast for triglycerides?

Yes. Come fasting, with around 12 hours without food and water only. Triglycerides temporarily rise after a meal, so a result taken after eating could appear worse than it is.

How can I lower triglycerides?

Less alcohol, sweets and sweetened drinks, losing excess weight and regular physical activity help most. Oily fish is also beneficial. The doctor decides whether medicines are needed based on your risk.

Are triglycerides the same as cholesterol?

No. Both are blood fats, but triglycerides serve as an energy source, while cholesterol is a building material for cells and hormones. They are therefore measured separately.

Can triglycerides be elevated if I am slim?

Yes. The cause may be inherited susceptibility, alcohol, diabetes, an underactive thyroid or medicines, so it is worth discussing the result with a doctor.