In some cases, low triglycerides aren’t a cause for concern and mean you don’t consume much fat. In other cases, they may indicate an underlying condition affecting your thyroid or digestive processes.
Lipids, also known as fats, are one of the three macronutrients essential to your diet. Types of lipids include steroids, phospholipids, and triglycerides.
Triglycerides are a type of lipid the body can use for both immediate and stored energy.
When you eat a meal, your body uses the nutrients as energy or fuel. However, if you eat a meal with too much energy (too many calories), this excess energy gets converted into triglycerides. These triglycerides are stored in fat cells for later use.
The most common concern about triglycerides is high triglyceride levels.
High levels of triglycerides in the blood may
Low triglyceride levels may be a health concern as well.
This article explores how low triglycerides affect your health and how to prevent and treat related problems.
The most common blood test used to check your triglyceride levels is called a lipid panel. A standard lipid panel tests for the following:
- total cholesterol
- LDL (bad) cholesterol
- HDL (good) cholesterol
- triglycerides
- cholesterol/HDL ratio
- non-HDL cholesterol
Your doctor will use a lipid panel to determine whether your triglyceride levels are within a normal range. Triglyceride levels are measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).
Triglyceride levels can vary from day to day. For example, triglycerides can vary dramatically when you eat a meal and can be 5 to 10 times higher than fasting levels.
The following tables show normal and high ranges of triglyceride levels:
Fasting triglyceride normal ranges
| For adults (ages 20 years and above) | For children and teens (ages 10 to 19 years) |
|---|---|
Fasting triglyceride normal ranges in adults
| Mild or borderline | High | Very high |
|---|---|---|
| 150 to 199 mg/dL | 200 to 499 mg/dL | greater than 500 mg/dL |
There is no current range for low triglyceride levels. However, if your triglyceride levels are very low, this may indicate an underlying condition or disease.
A diet high in fats and ultra-processed foods can cause high triglycerides, while a balanced diet that prioritizes whole foods generally leads to low triglycerides.
Sometimes low triglyceride levels can occur with high LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, which often indicate a higher heart disease risk. If low triglyceride levels lower heart disease risk but high LDL cholesterol levels increase it, what can cause this inconsistency?
There are two types of LDL particles that should be taken into account when calculating heart disease risk:
- LDL-A particles are larger and less dense; they lower your risk
- LDL-B particles are smaller and denser; they increase your risk
When you have low triglyceride levels but high LDL levels,
Healthy fats increase HDL (good) cholesterol and can change the type of LDL particles in the blood. Therefore, high LDL levels may not actually be a bad thing.
Instead, it is more likely that they are LDL particles that have become larger and less dense from the intake of healthy fat. Low triglycerides and high HDL levels in the blood will generally support this idea.
Low triglycerides can also be due to certain genetic mutations.
A very low fat diet
Low fat diets aren’t necessarily unhealthy.Low fat diets can be an effective way to lose weight. However, anything done on an extreme scale can be dangerous, and very low fat diets are no exception.
People eating low fat diets who are consuming very little fat may have lower triglyceride levels. With fat being an essential part of human metabolism, it’s important to consume at least some fat — preferably the healthy kind.
Long-term fasting
Fasting is the abstinence from food and drink. For some people, it’s one way to improve their health. Fasting can have many health benefits, from lowering blood sugar and lipid levels to aiding in weight management.
According to a
A longer period of fasting may produce more dramatic results. For those with already normal levels, this could potentially lead to very low triglyceride levels.
Instead of fasting for long periods of time or fasting every other day, a shorter stint of intermittent fasting may be just as effective without lowering your levels too much. This could mean fasting for 8 or 16 hours each day, rather than skipping food entirely for 24 hours.
Malnutrition
Malnutrition occurs when the body is not getting enough of, or alternately too much of, certain nutrients. According to the
Undernutrition can lead to deficiencies in important nutrients, including macronutrients such as lipids. Some symptoms of malnutrition include:
- weight loss, fat loss, and muscle mass loss
- hollow cheeks and eyes
- a protruding or swollen abdominal area
- dry and brittle hair, skin, or nails
- emotional symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, and irritability
If someone is experiencing severe undernutrition, their triglyceride levels may be well below the normal range. Undernutrition is best treated with increased food intake and, in some cases, supplementation of vitamins and minerals.
Malabsorption
Malabsorption is a condition in which the small intestine is unable to properly absorb the nutrients from food. Causes of malabsorption may include:
- damage to the digestive tract
- diseases affecting the digestive tract
- certain drugs
For people who experience malabsorption, the body may not be able to properly absorb carbohydrates, proteins, or fats.
There are many symptoms of malabsorption. However, fat malabsorption can lead to a condition called steatorrhea. Steatorrhea is a major indicator that your body isn’t absorbing fats properly. You may notice:
- pale and foul-smelling stools
- stools that are bulkier and float
- grease or fat in your stools
- drops of oil or fat in the water surrounding your stools
People who have trouble absorbing fats may have low triglyceride levels. Treatment for steatorrhea involves addressing underlying conditions that may be causing malabsorption with medication and lifestyle changes.
Hyperthyroidism
The thyroid gland plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism. In people with an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), regular metabolic processes can be greatly affected. Some of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:
- an enlarged thyroid gland, called a goiter
- unintentional weight loss and appetite changes
- alterations in heart rate
- thinning of the skin and hair
- mental and thinking changes, such as increased anxiety or nervousness
One of the biggest indicators of hyperthyroidism is unintentional weight loss. Generally, this weight loss occurs regardless of food intake.
This means the body is always using more energy than the person is consuming. People with hyperthyroidism may have low levels of triglycerides due to the increased use of these triglycerides for fuel.
Doctors may use blood tests that measure levels of thyroxine and thyroid-stimulating hormone to diagnose hyperthyroidism. It’s
- medication
- radioactive iodine therapy
- thyroid surgery
Cholesterol-lowering drugs
According to a 2023 study, the number of individuals who used statins increased by 149%, from 37 million in 2012 to 2013 to 92 million in 2018 to 2019.
Cholesterol medication, or lipid-lowering medications, are one way to control cholesterol levels.
If you’re concerned that your cholesterol-lowering drugs are causing your triglyceride levels to drop too low, have a conversation with your doctor about switching medications.
Genetic causes of low triglycerides
Certain genetic mutations can also cause low triglycerides. These genetic disorders, which can be discovered in adulthood, include:
- abetalipoproteinemia (ABL)
- familial hypobetalipoproteinemia (FHBL)
- chylomicron retention disease (CRD)
- heterozygous familial HBL (HetFHBL)
- PCSK9 deficiency
- ANGPTL3 deficiency
- congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG)
Low triglyceride levels by themselves are asymptomatic, meaning they don’t cause any noticeable symptoms.
However, if your low triglyceride levels are associated with an underlying condition, those conditions might cause symptoms, as listed in the following table:
| Underlying condition | Associated symptoms |
|---|---|
| malnutrition | • weight loss • fat and muscle mass loss • swollen abdomen • dry hair and skin • fatigue • difficulty concentrating • irritability, depression, or anxiety |
| malabsorption syndrome | • bloating, gas, diarrhea • greasy, light-colored stools • weight loss • dry hair or hair loss • anemia |
| hyperthyroidism | • rapid or irregular heart rate • weight loss • anxiety, nervousness, irritability • frequent bowel movements • trouble sleeping |
| liver disease | • yellowish skin and eyes (jaundice) • pale, bloody, or black stools • enlarged abdomen (due to fluid buildup) • fatigue |
| heart failure | • shortness of breath • fatigue • swelling in the legs, feet, and ankles • feeling faint, weak, or lightheaded |
Low triglyceride levels are generally not dangerous. In fact, research supports the idea that low triglyceride levels can offer certain health benefits.
A 2023 study found that low triglyceride levels are associated with decreased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Another smaller
However, as mentioned earlier in the article, incredibly low triglyceride levels may be linked to other conditions. Some of these conditions may be dangerous, so it becomes important to treat the underlying condition that’s causing low triglycerides.
The best treatment for low triglycerides is to find and treat the underlying cause.
For some conditions, such as malnutrition, it may be as simple as making dietary changes. For other conditions, such as malabsorption and hyperthyroidism, medication and lifestyle changes may be necessary.
If low triglyceride levels are the result of not getting enough fat in the diet, here are some suggestions for healthy dietary practices:
- Total dietary fat intake should be anywhere from
20% to 25% of total calories for the average person not following a low fat diet. - Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats should make up the majority of fat consumed in the diet, as these are the most heart-healthy.
- Saturated fats and cholesterol should be limited, and artificialtrans fats should never be consumed.
Keeping your triglycerides within the normal range is relatively easy with a well-rounded diet. The
- Keep your calories within a healthy range for your age, gender, and activity level.
- Eat a varied diet that includes all the major food groups, especially fruits, vegetables, and heart-healthy oils.
- Avoid overeating foods that contain little to no nutrients, as these can be stored as fat.
If you’re concerned that your triglyceride levels are low for another reason, such as an underlying condition, reach out to a doctor. They can use a lipid test, among other medical tests, to find the root cause of your low triglyceride levels.