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PATIENT INFORMATION

High triglycerides

Triglycerides are a blood fat, but they are not cholesterol. A single high reading often does not mean much.

What this result means

Triglycerides are the form your body uses to store spare energy.

They go up when you take in more than you burn. They also respond fast to what you have eaten and drunk recently.

That is why a single high reading often does not mean much. A meal or a few drinks beforehand can push the number up a long way.

Why we do not ignore it

Over time, a high level adds to your chance of a heart attack or stroke.

If it goes very high it can inflame the pancreas. That is why a big number gets looked at properly.

What we have done

Your text message names one of these.

Repeat the test, fasting

The commonest next step. Book it 1 to 2 weeks from now.

Nothing to eat for 10 to 14 hours beforehand. Water and your usual tablets are fine. No alcohol for 3 days before.

A properly fasted result tells us what we are actually dealing with.

Check for a cause we can treat

The usual causes are alcohol, blood sugar running high, an underactive thyroid, weight gain and occasionally another medicine.

We have requested the tests for these. Treating the cause often fixes the triglycerides on its own.

Refer you to a specialist

This is for very high levels, or levels that stay high once the causes have been dealt with.

A lipid specialist takes over and will write to you with an appointment.

What brings triglycerides down

These work well, and faster than they do for cholesterol. Many people bring the number down a long way with no tablet aimed at it.

Do

  • cut alcohol right down, which is the biggest single change for most people
  • cut sugary drinks, fruit juice and sweet things
  • cut white bread, white rice, pastry and crisps
  • eat oily fish twice a week, such as salmon, mackerel or sardines
  • lose a little weight if you are above a healthy one
  • move more, aiming for 150 minutes a week
Information:

If you have diabetes, getting your blood sugar under control brings triglycerides down with it.

Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E now if you have:

  • severe pain high up in your tummy that goes through to your back
  • that pain along with repeated vomiting

More information

HEART UKTriglycerides: what they are and how to lower themwww.heartuk.org.uk/cholesterol/triglycerides NHS.UKHigh cholesterol: causes, tests and treatmentwww.nhs.uk/conditions/high-cholesterol/

Reviewed 26 August 2026 ยท next review 26 February 2027