Triglycerides test
Quick answer: A triglycerides test measures triglycerides, a type of fat in your blood that comes from food and is stored for energy. It is usually done as part of a lipid profile to check heart disease risk, and when pancreatitis or very high fat levels are suspected.
- SampleBlood
- TakesAbout 5 minutes
- Before the testYou may be asked to fast for about 10 to 12 hours beforehand (water is fine); follow the lab's instructions.
How the test is done
- 1Staff confirm how long you have fasted
- 2A vein in your arm is cleaned
- 3Blood is drawn, usually as part of a lipid profile
- 4A plaster is applied and you can eat afterwards
What your results can mean
Reading your report
Normal ranges differ between labs, so compare your result with the range printed on your report and discuss it with your doctor.
If the result is outside the usual range
A high level can be seen with a recent meal, excess weight, diabetes, alcohol, an underactive thyroid, kidney disease, some medicines or inherited conditions, and very high levels can cause pancreatitis. A low level is not usually a concern.
Who usually has this test
Adults having a lipid profile, people with diabetes, excess weight or heart risk, and those with suspected pancreatitis.
Risks and aftercare
You can eat and drink normally after the sample.
Names and options
Also called: TG, serum triglycerides
Listed by the hospital as
- TRIGLYCERIDES, SERUM
Questions about this test
Why do triglycerides rise after a meal?
Fat from food enters the blood as triglycerides for several hours after eating. That is why many labs ask for a fasting sample when triglycerides are measured.
How can high triglycerides be lowered?
Cutting down on sugar, refined carbohydrates and alcohol, losing weight and exercising regularly can all lower triglycerides. Your doctor may also suggest medicine if levels stay high.
Can PCOS raise triglycerides?
Yes. Women with PCOS often have insulin resistance, which can raise triglycerides. Doctors may check a lipid profile as part of PCOS care.
Related tests
Tamara Hospital & IVF Centre, Rajajinagar
34/3, 10th Cross Road, opp. Vardhaka Sardar Patel School, 1st N Block, 2nd Stage, Rajajinagar, Bengaluru 560010
The hospital is open 24 hours. Call before you come to check the timing for your scan or sample collection.
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This page explains each test in general terms so you know what to expect. It is not medical advice: your doctor decides which tests you need and what your results mean. Reference ranges differ between laboratories. Updated 4 November 2026.