Triglycerides: The Overlooked Marker That Tells a Big Story About Your Metabolic Health

When we talk about cholesterol, triglycerides often get left out of the conversation — but they’re just as important, if not more so, when it comes to understanding your overall metabolic health. Every lipid panel measures triglycerides, and these numbers can reveal valuable insight into how your body is using (or misusing) energy.

Let’s take a closer look at what triglycerides are, what high and low levels mean, and how they can give us a deeper look into your whole-body health.

What Are Triglycerides?

Triglycerides are a type of fat (lipid) found in your blood. They’re made from the food you eat — specifically, excess calories, especially from carbohydrates, sugar, and alcohol.

When you consume more calories than your body immediately needs for energy, your liver converts that excess into triglycerides, which are stored in fat cells for later use. Between meals, hormones release these triglycerides to supply your body with energy.

In a healthy system, this process runs smoothly — energy in, energy out. But when that balance is disrupted, triglyceride levels can climb or fall, each telling a different story.

🩸 Important note: Triglycerides should always be checked in a fasted state (ideally after 10–12 hours of no food), since eating — especially carbohydrate-containing meals — can temporarily raise your levels.

What It Means When Triglycerides Are High

Functionally, triglycerides above 100 mg/dL are considered elevated and can indicate that your body isn’t metabolizing fats and sugars efficiently.

When we dig deeper, high triglycerides often point to an imbalance in how your body is using and storing energy — not just what you ate last week.

Some of the most common reasons include:

• Blood sugar imbalance or insulin resistance — when cells stop responding properly to insulin, both glucose and triglycerides rise.

• Liver overload or fatty liver — the liver plays a key role in lipid metabolism; when it’s congested, triglycerides increase.

• High carbohydrate or sugar intake — especially from refined carbs, sweets, or alcohol.

• Thyroid sluggishness — low thyroid function slows metabolism and fat clearance.

• Chronic stress and cortisol imbalance — excess cortisol can increase triglyceride production.

• Inflammation and oxidative stress — both can interfere with how your body uses fat for fuel.

High triglycerides are often an early sign of metabolic slowdown — your body’s way of saying, “I’m storing energy instead of burning it.”

What It Means When Triglycerides Are Low

On the other end of the spectrum, low triglycerides (below 50 mg/dL) can also raise a red flag.

Low levels can reflect a state of under-fueling or poor nutrient absorption — meaning your body isn’t getting or using enough of the building blocks it needs for energy and hormone production.

Some potential reasons include:

• Malabsorption or poor digestion — your body isn’t breaking down or absorbing fats properly.

• Very low-fat or low-calorie diets — insufficient intake of essential nutrients.

• Overactive thyroid — hyperthyroidism can drive triglycerides too low.

• Chronic illness, infection, or inflammation — catabolic states can lower triglycerides.

• Mitochondrial or energy-production challenges — your cells aren’t efficiently storing or utilizing fuel.

Low triglycerides often go hand in hand with fatigue, anxiety, hormonal imbalance, or trouble maintaining weight — signs your body may need more nourishment, not less.

What Triglycerides Tell Us About the Bigger Picture

Your triglyceride levels don’t exist in isolation. When you look at them alongside other markers — such as HDL, LDL, fasting insulin, liver enzymes, and thyroid function — they help paint a much clearer picture of your metabolism, liver health, and hormonal balance.

Through a whole-body lens, triglycerides act as a window into how your body handles:

• Energy and blood sugar regulation

• Liver detoxification and fat metabolism

• Thyroid and adrenal function

• Inflammation and nutrient status

By connecting these dots, we can start to understand why your numbers are off — not just that they are.

The Bottom Line

Your triglyceride levels are more than a number — they’re a reflection of how your body manages energy, nutrition, and stress. Whether they’re high or low, they offer valuable clues about your metabolism, hormones, and resilience.

If your triglycerides are outside the optimal range, it doesn’t automatically mean something is “wrong.” It means your body is sending a signal — and the key is learning how to listen to it.

Want to Know What Your Labs Are Really Telling You?

Most people glance at their lipid panel and are only concerned about their cholesterol levels. But the truth is, those numbers are talking to you — you just need someone who can translate what they mean in the context of your overall health.

If you’re curious what your triglycerides might be saying about your metabolism, hormones, and energy, I’d love to help you connect the dots.

💬 Book your free 15-minute consult here → to get started on your journey toward better energy, balance, and long-term metabolic health.