The triglycerides test measures, directly in blood, the fat carried mainly in VLDL from the liver and in chylomicrons from the gut after meals. Practitioners use it as an early marker of response to changes in alcohol, refined carbohydrate and energy intake. A non-fasting sample, recent alcohol and several common medicines raise the result, so retests need the same fasting conditions.
| Test type | Measured in a blood sample |
|---|---|
| Measurements required | Triglycerides only |
| Sample and collection | Fasting blood draw at a collection centre |
| Preparation | Fast for 8 to 12 hours before a morning collection, water only. |
| Turnaround | 3 to 5 business days |
| Available through | Lipid Studies, part of the Baseline Health Check. Also in: Full Body Health Check, Weight Management Test. |
| Pricing | Included in the $99 Baseline Health Check |
| Results | Returned in the Vively practitioner platform, beside your client's other markers |
What are the Triglycerides reference and optimal ranges?
| Typical lab reference | Vively optimal | |
|---|---|---|
| Adults | 0.5 to 2.1 mmol/L (fasting) | 0.5 to 1.2 mmol/L |
Labs differ, and many Australian labs flag fasting triglycerides above 2.0 mmol/L, so read the result against the range on the client's report (RCPA). The optimal range is a metabolic target, not a treatment threshold.
Check a client's Triglycerides result
Enter the value from your client's lab report to see where it sits against the typical lab range and the Vively optimal range.
A guide only, not a diagnosis. One result is a starting point: read it with symptoms, history and a repeat test. Labs differ, so check the result against the range on your client's report. Nothing you enter is stored or sent.
How do you arrange Triglycerides testing through Vively?
- Get verified. Practitioners with a recognised qualification or membership (ATMS, NHAA, ANTA, Dietitians Australia, NSA, CMA or Ahpra registration) can request free practitioner access.
- Choose a panel. Log in to the practitioner platform and pick a panel that includes Triglycerides, or build your own. It is included in the $99 Baseline Health Check.
- Client collects. Your client collects at a partner collection centre, with their request on their phone or printed.
- Review results. Results come back to you in the practitioner platform, beside your client's other markers, ready for the follow-up consult.
Which Vively panels include Triglycerides?
Log in to the practitioner platform to view a panel in full, or build and save your own from 100+ tests and panels.
- Baseline Health Check74 markers across 11 lab groups$99
One fasting blood draw.
Full Blood CountUrea, Electrolytes & CreatinineLiver Function TestsCalcium, Phosphate & MagnesiumLipid StudiesDiabetes & Glycaemic StudiesIron StudiesThyroid Function Tests+3 moreLog in to view this panel - Weight Management Test27 markers · Heart & metabolicPrice on sign-upTriglyceridesTotal CholesterolLDL CholesterolHDL CholesterolNon-HDL CholesterolFree testosteroneSHBGTotal testosterone+19 moreLog in to view this panel
- Log in to view this panelFull Body Health Check87 markers · Health checksPrice on sign-up
Why does the optimal range sit there?
Our optimal range tops out at 1.2 mmol/L, well under the lab limit of about 2.0 mmol/L, because metabolic change shows up well below it.
Harmonised metabolic syndrome criteria (Alberti and colleagues, Circulation, 2009) count 1.7 mmol/L or above as a risk factor. Above about 1.2 mmol/L, fasting triglycerides are often seen with rising fasting insulin, falling HDL and early fatty liver.
Triglycerides are the lipid that moves fastest with lifestyle, often within weeks of cutting alcohol and refined carbohydrate. A result above 1.2 mmol/L gives the client a target they can see shift at the next test.
What should Triglycerides be read with?
- ContextTriglycerides above 1.2 mmol/L with low HDL
A common insulin resistance pattern; the triglyceride to HDL ratio puts a number on it.
- HighRaised triglycerides with raised GGT
Possible alcohol intake or fatty liver.
- HighRaised triglycerides with high TSH
Possible hypothyroidism contributing to the lipid picture; worth GP review.
- HighRaised triglycerides, LDL in range, raised non-HDL or ApoB
Possibly more VLDL and remnant particles than LDL alone shows.
- HighRaised triglycerides with high glucose or HbA1c
Often seen with poorly controlled glucose and needs GP review.
What can affect a Triglycerides result?
- A non-fasting sample: triglycerides rise after meals and can stay raised for several hours.
- Alcohol in the previous 24 to 48 hours.
- Oral oestrogen, the combined pill, corticosteroids, retinoids, thiazides, some beta blockers and some antipsychotics, which raise them.
- Pregnancy, which raises triglycerides, most in the third trimester.
- Acute illness or rapid weight change.
- Fish oil supplements, which can lower triglycerides.
When should you refer the client to their GP?
- Triglycerides above 5.6 mmol/L: GP review, as pancreatitis risk rises and treatment may be needed.
- Raised triglycerides with severe upper abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting: urgent medical care.
- Persistently raised triglycerides with high glucose, HbA1c, TSH or liver enzymes.
- A family history of very high triglycerides or early heart disease.
How should a client prepare for a Triglycerides test?
Copy or print this to send to your client.
Preparing for your Triglycerides test
- Fast for 8 to 12 hours before a morning collection, water only.
- Avoid alcohol the day before your test.
- Skip an unusually large or fatty meal the evening before, as it can push triglycerides up.
- Take your pathology request to any of 4,000+ collection centres. Bring it printed or on your phone.
- Keep taking prescribed medicines as usual unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
- Results usually take 3 to 5 business days and come to your practitioner. Book your results appointment for after that.
How do practitioners use Triglycerides with clients?
Triglycerides are the lipid marker clients can most often shift themselves, through less alcohol, fewer refined carbohydrates and added sugars, and more whole-food meals. Use them as early proof of change, and retest after 6 to 12 weeks under the same fasting conditions.
Triglycerides FAQs
Can I order triglycerides for a client through Vively as a naturopath, dietitian or nutritionist?
Yes. Add it to a client panel on the Vively practitioner platform. It is part of Lipid Studies in the $99 Baseline Health Check, and is also in Full Body Health Check and Weight Management Test. No account yet? Request free access.
Does my client need to fast for triglycerides?
Yes, for Vively panels. Non-fasting lipids are accepted in many settings, but triglycerides rise after a meal, by about 0.3 mmol/L on average in large studies, which matters when you are tracking against a 1.2 mmol/L optimal ceiling. An 8 to 12 hour fast and no alcohol the day before keep results comparable between tests.
Can high triglycerides affect the LDL result?
Yes, when LDL is calculated. The Friedewald equation estimates VLDL cholesterol from triglycerides and becomes unreliable once they pass 4.5 mmol/L. In that case, read non-HDL cholesterol or ApoB, or check the report footnote to see whether the lab measured LDL directly or used a newer equation.
What should I check when a client's triglycerides are raised?
Look at GGT and ALT for alcohol or fatty liver, TSH for hypothyroidism, and glucose or HbA1c for poor glucose control. Low HDL alongside triglycerides above 1.2 mmol/L is the usual insulin resistance pattern, so add fasting insulin. Also review medicines such as oral oestrogen, corticosteroids, thiazides and retinoids, which raise triglycerides.
How long before I retest triglycerides after a diet change?
Retest after 6 to 12 weeks, under the same fasting conditions as the baseline. Triglycerides respond quickly to less alcohol, fewer refined carbohydrates and added sugars. Avoid alcohol for 24 to 48 hours beforehand, and note any fish oil, since it can lower triglycerides and flatter the comparison.
References
- Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia. RCPA Manual: Triglycerides.
- Pathology Tests Explained. Triglycerides. Source
- Nordestgaard BG, Langsted A, Mora S, et al. Fasting is not routinely required for determination of a lipid profile. European Heart Journal. 2016.
- Alberti KGMM, Eckel RH, Grundy SM, et al. Harmonizing the metabolic syndrome. Circulation. 2009. Source