Extra triglycerides enter your blood after you eat. If you eat more calories than your body needs, your triglyceride level may be high. Very low-density lipoproteins VLDLs carry triglycerides through your blood. VLDL measurements can be helpful information to have if you and your doctor are talking about ways to lower your triglyceride level.
The triglyceride level test will help your doctor determine your risk of developing heart disease. It helps estimate the level of LDL cholesterol in your blood. Atherosclerosis occurs when fat builds up inside your arteries. It can increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. You should have a lipid profile done every five years as part of your regular medical exam.
The lipid profile tests your levels of the following:. This includes children who are overweight or who have a family history of heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure.
Children at increased risk of developing heart disease will need this test between 2 and 10 years of age. Children under 2 are too young for testing. You should fast for 9 to 14 hours before the test and drink only water during that period. Your doctor will specify how much time you should fast before the test. You should also avoid alcohol for 24 hours before the test. Your doctor may tell you to stop taking certain medicines before the test.
The test uses a blood sample that a laboratory will analyze. A healthcare provider will draw blood from a vein in the front of your elbow or the back of your hand. A portable machine can also perform this test. The machine collects a very small sample of blood from a finger stick and analyzes your triglycerides as part of a lipid panel. You can often find this type of test at mobile clinics or health fairs.
In addition, you can buy a portable machine to monitor your triglycerides at home. Another way to monitor your triglycerides at home is to mail a sample of blood to a laboratory using a prepared kit.
You should talk to your doctor to see if either of these at-home tests is a good option for you. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. Triglycerides Test. What is a triglycerides test? What is it used for? Why do I need a triglycerides test? Men 45 years or older and women 50 years or older are at a higher risk for heart disease.
What happens during a triglycerides test? Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test? Are there any risks to the test? What do the results mean? If your results were borderline high, your provider may recommend that you: Lose weight Eat a healthier diet Get more exercise Reduce alcohol intake Take a cholesterol lowering medicine If your results were high or very high, your provider may recommend the same lifestyle changes as above and also that you: Follow a very low-fat diet Lose a significant amount of weight Take medicine or medicines designed to lower triglycerides Be sure to talk to your health care provider before making any major changes to your diet or exercise routine.
References American Heart Association [Internet]. Triglycerides; —2 p. Lab Tests Online [Internet]. American Association for Clinical Chemistry; c— Triglycerides: The Test [updated Jun 30; cited May 15]; [about 4 screens].
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This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Triglycerides: Why do they matter? Products and services. By Mayo Clinic Staff. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references High blood triglycerides. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Accessed Aug. Bonow RO, et al. Risk markers and the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease.
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