Triglycerides (TG)
Also known as: TG
Triglycerides are the principal storage lipid in circulation. Elevated fasting triglycerides — especially relative to HDL — signal insulin resistance and visceral adiposity.
What Triglycerides measures
Triglycerides quantify the fat circulating in the bloodstream, packaged within VLDL and chylomicron particles. Levels rise with carbohydrate-heavy meals, alcohol, and insulin resistance, and fall with fasting and improved metabolic flexibility.
Clinical significance
Triglycerides are a sensitive early signal of insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction — often elevated before glucose, A1C, or weight change become abnormal. Elevated triglycerides contribute to small-dense LDL formation and reduced HDL function, amplifying atherogenic risk.
How oMeds reviews it
Triglycerides are a co-marker for cardiometabolic review alongside ApoB, HDL, fasting insulin, and hs-CRP. A triglyceride:HDL ratio above 3 routinely flags insulin resistance even when individual lipid values look acceptable.
Standard clinical reference intervals
Lab-reported reference ranges from established standards bodies. These are diagnostic thresholds — they do not represent optimization targets.
oMeds optimization targets
Editorial bands that inform provider-reviewed conversations. These are wellness targets, not diagnostic thresholds.
Provider-reviewed wellness targets fasting triglycerides under 100 mg/dL, where the triglyceride:HDL ratio and insulin resistance markers most consistently align with low cardiometabolic risk.
oMeds optimization ranges are editorial targets that inform conversations with a licensed provider. They are NOT diagnostic thresholds and do not replace lab reference ranges.
Triglycerides — frequently asked
What is the triglyceride:HDL ratio?
A surrogate marker for insulin resistance and small-dense LDL prevalence. Ratios under 2 are favorable; above 3 routinely signals insulin resistance even when individual lipid values appear normal.
Why fast for triglycerides?
Triglycerides rise sharply after meals. Fasted draws are required for comparable results and accurate lipid-panel calculations.
Source literature
- 2018 AHA/ACC Cholesterol Guideline · Circulation
- Triglyceride:HDL ratio and insulin resistance (McLaughlin et al.) · Annals of Internal Medicine
How this entity relates
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Conditions this biomarker informs
Co-reviewed biomarkers
Related Optimization Resources
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