Triglycerides

High triglyceride levels signal metabolic imbalance and increase the risk of heart disease and pancreatitis, often without early symptoms. Keeping levels in range through balanced diet, regular exercise, and limiting sugar and alcohol helps protect cardiovascular and metabolic health.

Most adults benefit from checking triglycerides once a year as part of a lipid panel. After a sustained dietary or weight change, retest at 6 to 8 weeks, always under the same fasting conditions.

At baseline / for screening: Once every 12 months from age 30, alongside the rest of your lipid panel. Earlier and more frequent if you have a family history of early cardiovascular disease, elevated Lp(a), or known cardiovascular risk factors.

When monitoring an intervention or change: Retest 6 to 8 weeks after a sustained change in diet (reducing refined carbs, alcohol, and added sugars), meaningful weight loss, or starting omega-3 supplementation. The same window applies after starting fibrate or prescription omega-3 medication. Always retest under the same fasting conditions, since triglycerides respond strongly to recent meals, alcohol, and acute illness.

Note: After significant alcohol intake or a high-fat meal, wait 48 to 72 hours before retesting. Acute illness can elevate triglycerides by 30 percent or more, so wait 4 to 6 weeks after recovery before reading the next value as a stable baseline.