Triglyceride/HDL Ratio

•Observational— Practical proxy when apoB or HOMA-IR unavailable

Why this ratio

Two pieces of information packed in:

1. Triglycerides — index of insulin resistance and VLDL production.
2. HDL — falls with insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.

A high TG and low HDL combination is the lipid signature of metabolic syndrome and predicts small dense LDL predominance. The ratio rises sharply with insulin resistance.

When it’s most useful

• When apoB and HOMA-IR aren’t reportable.
• Trend tracking on standard lipid panels.
• Quick metabolic-syndrome screening flag.

Caveats

• Less informative in non-overweight South Asian and East Asian populations where dyslipidaemia presents differently.
• LDL particle number (apoB) remains a better single test.
• A normal ratio doesn’t rule out elevated LDL particle count.

Related entries

Triglycerides, HDL-C, Fasting insulin, ApoB.