What is measured in the blood to assess lipid metabolism?

Triglycerides are a type of fat (lipid) found in the blood, and measuring their levels is essential for assessing lipid metabolism. They serve as an energy source for the body and are stored in fat tissues. When evaluating lipid metabolism, triglycerides provide critical insights into how the body processes and stores dietary fats. Elevated triglycerides can indicate metabolic issues, such as insulin resistance or cardiovascular disease risk, making them a key marker in the assessment of lipid metabolism.

While cholesterol is also an important lipid measured in blood tests, triglycerides directly reflect the body’s metabolic handling of fat more specifically. Glucose and insulin measurements pertain to carbohydrate metabolism rather than lipid metabolism.