Lab test · Cardiology
Triglycerides (TG)
Blood fat (triglyceride) level
- Blood sample
- Fasting: 10 hours
- Report within 24 hours
- Home collection
What this test is for
Blood fat (triglyceride) level
Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in the blood. They come from the food you eat and are also made by the liver, and the body stores them as a source of energy. High levels are linked with heart disease and, when very high, with inflammation of the pancreas, so doctors check them as part of a lipid profile.
Why a doctor may order it
- As part of a lipid profile to assess heart and stroke risk
- For people with diabetes, excess weight, fatty liver or heavy alcohol use
- To check the effect of diet, exercise or medicines on blood fats
- When pancreatitis is suspected, as very high triglycerides can be a cause
How to prepare
Fasting: 10 hours without food before the sample; plain water is fine.
Fasting is needed because triglycerides rise after a meal: have only plain water during the fasting time shown on this page. Avoid alcohol and sugary or fatty food the day before, as they can raise the result. Keep taking your regular medicines unless your doctor advises otherwise.
At home
- Sample
- Blood sample
- How it works
- The collector comes to your home and draws a small blood sample from a vein in your arm while you are still fasting, usually first thing in the morning. It takes a few minutes, and you can eat and drink straight afterwards.
- Report
- Within 24 hours of collection.
What the results can mean
Your report shows triglycerides next to the laboratory's range. Raised levels are common with excess weight, poorly controlled diabetes, alcohol, a diet high in sugar and refined carbohydrates, an underactive thyroid, kidney disease and some medicines, and can also run in families. Very high levels need prompt attention because they can trigger pancreatitis. Your doctor will interpret the result together with your cholesterol values and other health factors.
What's included
One test: Triglycerides (TG), from one blood sample.
Related tests
- Lipid ProfileA lipid profile measures the fats in your blood: total cholesterol, LDL ('bad') cholesterol, HDL ('good') cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
- Total CholesterolThis test measures the total amount of cholesterol in your blood, adding together the 'bad' LDL cholesterol, the 'good' HDL cholesterol and other types.
- HDL CholesterolGood cholesterol level৳170
- LDL CholesterolLDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol is often called 'bad' cholesterol.
- Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS)This test measures the glucose (sugar) in your blood after you have not eaten for several hours, usually overnight.
- HbA1c (Glycated Haemoglobin)HbA1c measures how much of the haemoglobin in your red blood cells has glucose (sugar) attached to it.
Questions people ask
Why do I need to fast for a triglyceride test?
Triglycerides rise for several hours after eating, especially after a fatty or sugary meal. Fasting gives a steady baseline that can be compared between tests.
Is TG the same as thyroglobulin?
No. On a lipid report, TG means triglycerides, a type of blood fat, while thyroglobulin is a thyroid protein measured by a different test. Check with your doctor if you are unsure which one was requested.
Can alcohol raise triglycerides?
Yes. Alcohol can raise triglycerides, sometimes a lot, which is why it is best avoided the day before the test. Your doctor may ask how much you usually drink.
What is the link between triglycerides and diabetes?
High blood sugar and insulin resistance often raise triglycerides. Doctors check them regularly in people with diabetes as part of looking after heart health.
How much does a Triglycerides test cost in Dhaka?
With Mukti Health the price is ৳200, and the sample is collected at your home in Dhaka. You see the price again before you confirm the booking in the Mukti Health app.
Can I do the Triglycerides test at home in Dhaka?
Yes. Book it in the Mukti Health app and a trained sample collector comes to your home in Dhaka to take the blood sample. You do not need to go to a laboratory.
How long does the Triglycerides report take?
The report is usually ready within 24 hours of the sample being collected.