What is an optimal triglycerides level?
The short answer
An optimal triglycerides level is under 100 mg/dL. Dr. Peter Attia and Dr. Sarah Hallberg both put it there. You can watch Attia say it below.
Most labs call triglycerides high only above 150. So your report can call 125 normal while it sits above where these doctors want it.
“to the lipids I generally take a harder line on triglycerides than is typically given, so the typical reference range on triglyceride is less than 150 milligrams per deciliter — apologize, I don't know what that is in millimolar for people who are outside of the United States — I generally like to see triglycerides below 100, and if we're really gonna get fancy I'd like to see triglycerides lower than HDL cholesterol when both are measured in milligrams per deciliter”
Where a number lands, and who said so
- under 100 mg/dL The range Dr. Peter Attia draws
- 100–150 mg/dL Normal on most reports. Above optimal“most laboratory assays will say a triglyceride level of 150 milligrams per deciliter is considered normal. Well, we don't say that in our practice — we view…” Dr. Peter Attia · 57:47 →
- over 150 mg/dL Most labs flag this as high
What triglycerides measures
The main form of fat circulating in your blood.
They rise with recent eating, alcohol and insulin resistance. That is why the test asks you to fast.
Checked against MedlinePlus — Triglycerides Test.
One of the doctors we cite, on why it matters
“we know triglycerides is a poor man's biomarker of insulin resistance”
Common questions
What is an optimal triglycerides level?
Under 100 mg/dL, according to Dr. Peter Attia and Dr. Sarah Hallberg.
What is a normal triglycerides level?
Most US labs print 0–150 mg/dL. Your report grades you against that range. It exists to catch disease, not to describe your best.
What does your triglycerides number mean?
Under 0 mg/dL, your report marks it low. Between 0 and 150 it prints as normal. Over 150, your report marks it high. Where the people we follow draw their own line is above.
Is triglycerides of 125 normal?
Your lab will call it normal. Dr. Peter Attia puts the ceiling at 100 mg/dL, so by that number it is high.
What does the triglycerides test measure?
The main form of fat circulating in your blood. They rise with recent eating, alcohol and insulin resistance. That is why the test asks you to fast.
Where does this number come from?
Dr. Peter Attia, on video. The link above jumps straight to that minute.
Where else this number comes up
- “they have normal triglycerides, which are being defined as less than 150. We argue in our practice that's very high, and anything over 100 is…” Dr. Sarah Hallberg · 22:06 →