Triglycerides are a type of fat, or lipid, that circulates in the bloodstream and serves a fundamental role in energy metabolism, acting as the most common reserve energy source stored primarily within fat cells. When you consume excess calories, particularly from carbohydrates and fats, the liver converts this energy into triglycerides for storage. Between meals, hormones signal the release of these stored triglycerides to fuel the body’s functions.
Defining Low Triglyceride Levels
A standard lipid panel measures triglyceride levels. For an adult, an optimal level is considered below 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), while a normal level is generally defined as less than 150 mg/dL. Low triglycerides are not universally defined, but levels consistently falling below 50 mg/dL often warrant further investigation by a healthcare provider. Extremely low levels, sometimes cited as below 35 or 40 mg/dL, may indicate an underlying issue requiring medical attention.
Primary Causes of Low Triglycerides
Low triglyceride levels often point to factors related to diet, metabolism, or the body’s ability to process fats. One common cause is a highly restrictive diet, such as a very low-fat or extremely low-carbohydrate plan, which limits the necessary building blocks for triglyceride production. Severe caloric restriction, malnutrition, or an eating disorder can also lead to a drop in levels due to insufficient nutrient intake.
Certain endocrine and metabolic conditions can also accelerate the use of triglycerides, resulting in lower blood levels. An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) increases the body’s overall metabolic rate, causing it to consume energy reserves, including triglycerides, more rapidly. Similarly, conditions that cause malabsorption, such as celiac disease or Crohn’s disease, prevent the intestines from properly absorbing dietary fats needed to form triglycerides.
Liver disease is another potential factor, as the liver produces and metabolizes triglycerides. Medications used to manage high cholesterol, like statins or fibrates, may reduce triglycerides below the typical range. In rare instances, genetic disorders (e.g., familial hypobetalipoproteinemia or abetalipoproteinemia) impair the body’s ability to create fat-transporting particles, leading to extremely low circulating levels.
Health Implications and Associated Symptoms
While moderately low triglycerides are often associated with a reduced risk of heart disease, extremely low levels can signal a deeper health problem. The clinical concern is typically not the low level itself, but the underlying condition causing the drop. Low triglycerides can be an indicator of a chronic disorder that is disrupting normal bodily functions, such as malabsorption or hyperthyroidism.
When low levels are caused by malabsorption, the body may show symptoms related to an inability to process dietary nutrients, including chronic diarrhea, bloating, or unexplained weight loss. If the root cause is hyperthyroidism, a person might experience unintentional weight loss, increased heart rate, or feelings of nervousness. Symptoms are therefore highly dependent on the condition driving the low triglyceride count.
One significant consequence of chronically low fat levels is impaired absorption of fat-soluble vitamins: A, D, E, and K. These vitamins require dietary fat for proper absorption, and a lack of circulating triglycerides and lipoproteins can lead to deficiencies. Chronic deficiencies can cause a variety of issues, such as vision problems (Vitamin A), weakened bones (Vitamin D), or issues with blood clotting (Vitamin K).
Addressing and Managing Low Levels
The approach to managing low triglyceride levels focuses entirely on identifying the root cause rather than simply attempting to raise the number. A medical professional will typically perform follow-up tests to investigate potential underlying conditions, including nutrient panels, thyroid function tests, or liver function tests. If a severe dietary restriction is the cause, management involves adjusting the eating plan to ensure adequate caloric intake and the inclusion of healthy fats.
For conditions like hyperthyroidism, treatment involves regulating the thyroid hormone levels, which naturally allows the metabolic rate to normalize and triglyceride levels to stabilize. In cases of malabsorption, the focus shifts to treating the underlying digestive disorder, such as celiac or Crohn’s disease, to restore the body’s ability to absorb fats and other nutrients. Genetic conditions that cause very low levels often require specialized management, which may include high-dose supplementation with fat-soluble vitamins to prevent deficiency-related complications.