Triglycerides to HDL Ratio
Other names: TG/HDL-C, TG/HDL C, Triglyceride/HDL Ratio, TG / HDL Ratio, Trig/HDL Ratio, Triglycerides:HDL Ratio, TRIG/HDL
The Triglycerides to HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) Ratio is a metric that is often used in the medical field to evaluate cardiovascular risk. This ratio is calculated by dividing the triglyceride level by the HDL cholesterol level, both of which are part of a standard lipid panel blood test.
A higher ratio indicates a greater risk of atherosclerosis, a condition where plaque builds up inside the arteries, which can lead to heart disease and stroke. Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the blood, and while they are necessary for health, elevated levels can indicate an increased risk for heart disease. HDL, on the other hand, is often referred to as "good" cholesterol because it helps remove cholesterol from the arteries. Thus, having a lower Triglycerides to HDL ratio is generally seen as beneficial for heart health.
The reference range for the Triglycerides to HDL Ratio can vary based on the source and population studied. However, many experts use the following general guidelines to interpret the ratio:
Ideal: Less than 2
Moderate Risk: Between 2 and 4
High Risk: 4 or higher
For instance, a Triglycerides to HDL Ratio of 1.5 would be considered ideal, suggesting a favorable lipid profile and potentially lower cardiovascular risk. Conversely, a ratio of 5 would suggest a higher risk.
However, these reference ranges are largely based on data from Western populations, and optimal or average ratios might differ in other ethnic or demographic groups.
It's important to interpret this ratio in the context of other clinical and laboratory findings. For example, an individual might have a ratio within the "ideal" range but could still be at risk for heart disease due to other factors like high LDL cholesterol, hypertension, or a strong family history of cardiovascular disease.
Lastly, it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional to interpret lab results and understand their implications fully. The reference values mentioned above are general guidelines, and the optimal range might differ based on the specific population, lab standards, and clinical scenario.
What does it mean if your Triglycerides to HDL Ratio result is too high?
An elevated Triglycerides to HDL Ratio is often indicative of an unfavorable lipid profile that can be associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Specifically:
→ Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Syndrome: A high ratio is frequently seen in individuals with insulin resistance, which is a condition where the body's cells become less responsive to the effects of insulin. This resistance can be a precursor to type 2 diabetes. It's also a component of the metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions that, together, increase the risk for heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
→ Atherogenic Dyslipidemia: This refers to a combination of high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, and an increase in small, dense LDL particles. These small, dense particles are believed to be more atherogenic, meaning they're more likely to contribute to the formation of plaques in the arteries compared to larger, buoyant LDL particles.
→ Increased Cardiovascular Risk: Several studies have shown that individuals with a higher Triglycerides to HDL Ratio have an increased risk of heart disease. The ratio may be a more powerful predictor of cardiovascular events than either parameter (triglycerides or HDL) alone.
→ Other Associations: Beyond cardiovascular implications, a high ratio might be associated with other health issues, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
It's important to note that while the Triglycerides to HDL Ratio can provide valuable insight, it's just one piece of the puzzle. A comprehensive assessment of heart disease risk should consider other factors, such as LDL cholesterol levels, blood pressure, family history, smoking status, and other individualized risk parameters. Always consult with a healthcare professional for a complete evaluation of cardiovascular risk.
All Your Lab Results.
One Simple Dashboard.
Import, Track, and Share Your Lab Results Easily
Import, Track, and Share Your Lab Results
Import lab results from multiple providers, track changes over time, customize your reference ranges, and get clear explanations for each result. Everything is stored securely, exportable in one organized file, and shareable with your doctor—or anyone you choose.
Cancel or upgrade anytime
Laboratories
Bring All Your Lab Results Together — In One Place
We accept reports from any lab, so you can easily collect and organize all your health information in one secure spot.
Pricing Table
Gather Your Lab History — and Finally Make Sense of It
Finally, Your Lab Results Organized and Clear
Personal plans
$79/ year
Advanced Plan
Access your lab reports, explanations, and tracking tools.
- Import lab results from any provider
- Track all results with visual tools
- Customize your reference ranges
- Export your full lab history anytime
- Share results securely with anyone
- Receive 5 reports entered for you
- Cancel or upgrade anytime
$250/ once
Unlimited Account
Pay once, access everything—no monthly fees, no limits.
- Import lab results from any provider
- Track all results with visual tools
- Customize your reference ranges
- Export your full lab history anytime
- Share results securely with anyone
- Receive 10 reports entered for you
- No subscriptions. No extra fees.
$45/ month
Pro Monthly
Designed for professionals managing their clients' lab reports
- Import lab results from any provider
- Track lab results for multiple clients
- Customize reference ranges per client
- Export lab histories and reports
- Begin with first report entered by us
- Cancel or upgrade anytime
About membership
What's included in a Healthmatters membership
Import Lab Results from Any Source
See Your Health Timeline
Understand What Your Results Mean
Visualize Your Results
Data Entry Service for Your Reports
Securely Share With Anyone You Trust
Let Your Lab Results Tell the Full Story
Once your results are in one place, see the bigger picture — track trends over time, compare data side by side, export your full history, and share securely with anyone you trust.
Bring all your results together to compare, track progress, export your history, and share securely.
What Healthmatters Members Are Saying
Frequently asked questions
Healthmatters is a personal health dashboard that helps you organize and understand your lab results. It collects and displays your medical test data from any lab in one secure, easy-to-use platform.
- Individuals who want to track and understand their health over time.
- Health professionals, such as doctors, nutritionists, and wellness coaches, need to manage and interpret lab data for their clients.
With a Healthmatters account, you can:
- Upload lab reports from any lab
- View your data in interactive graphs, tables, and timelines
- Track trends and monitor changes over time
- Customize your reference ranges
- Export and share your full lab history
- Access your results anytime, from any device
Professionals can also analyze client data more efficiently and save time managing lab reports.
Healthmatters.io personal account provides in-depth research on 10000+ biomarkers, including information and suggestions for test panels such as, but not limited to:
- The GI Effects® Comprehensive Stool Profile,
- GI-MAP,
- The NutrEval FMV®,
- The ION Profile,
- Amino Acids Profile,
- Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones (DUTCH),
- Organic Acids Test,
- Organix Comprehensive Profile,
- Toxic Metals,
- Complete Blood Count (CBC),
- Metabolic panel,
- Thyroid panel,
- Lipid Panel,
- Urinalysis,
- And many, many more.
You can combine all test reports inside your Healthmatters account and keep them in one place. It gives you an excellent overview of all your health data. Once you retest, you can add new results and compare them.
If you are still determining whether Healthmatters support your lab results, the rule is that if you can test it, you can upload it to Healthmatters.
We implement proven measures to keep your data safe.
At HealthMatters, we're committed to maintaining the security and confidentiality of your personal information. We've put industry-leading security standards in place to help protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of the information under our control. We use procedural, physical, and electronic security methods designed to prevent unauthorized people from getting access to this information. Our internal code of conduct adds additional privacy protection. All data is backed up multiple times a day and encrypted using SSL certificates. See our Privacy Policy for more details.