The triglycerides are fats (lipids) which serve as an energy reserve. They come from the diet and are also synthesized by the liver. When they are too numerous in the blood, they constitute a cardiovascular risk factor because they contribute to “clogging” the arteries.

The determination of total triglycerides is carried out as part of a lipid profile, at the same time as the cholesterol test (total, HDL and LDL), to detect a dyslipidémie, that is to say an abnormality in the level of fat circulating in the blood.

The assay can also be performed routinely or to assess cardiovascular risk in a person who has symptoms of coronary heart disease (acute coronary syndrome), for example. The assessment can also be done when there are other cardiovascular risk factors: diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.

In the event of abnormal values, the assessment must be done a second time for confirmation. It is also necessary to redo a lipidic assessment (every 3 to 6 months) after the establishment of a treatment against dyslipidemia.

The dosage is carried out by means of a simple blood sample. You must have been on an empty stomach for 12 hours and have followed a normal diet in the previous weeks (the doctor or the laboratory may give you some indications).

The interpretation of the triglyceride level depends on the overall lipid balance values, and in particular on the HDL cholesterol level, but also on associated risk factors, such as diabetes or hypertension.

As a guide, the level of triglycerides in the blood should be:

• in men: less than 1,30 g / L (1,6 mml / L)
• in women: less than 1,20 g / L (1,3 mml / L)

The lipid profile is considered normal in a person without a risk factor if:

• LDL-cholesterol <1,60 g / l (4,1 mmol / l),
• HDL-cholesterol> 0,40 g / l (1 mmol / l)
• triglycerides <1,50 g / l (1,7 mmol / l) and the lipid balance is considered normal. It is then not necessary to repeat this assessment.

On the contrary, if the triglycerides are greater than 4 g / L (4,6 mmol / L), whatever the level of total cholesterol, it is a question of hypertriglyceridemia.

Hypertriglyceridemia can be minor (<4g / L), moderate (<10g / L), or major. In the event of major hypertriglyceridemia, there is a risk of pancreatitis.

There are many causes of hypertriglyceridemia:

• metabolic syndrome (abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high fasting blood sugar, low HDL-cholesterol)
• poor diet (high calorie, rich in simple sugars, fats and alcohol).
• Taking certain medications (corticosteroids, interferon, tamoxifen, thiazide diuretics, beta-blockers, certain antipsychotics, etc.)
• Genetic causes (familial hypertriglyceridemia)

So-called “lipid-lowering” treatments, such as statins or fibrates, help regulate lipidemia and lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. Only the doctor will be able to determine if such treatment is necessary.