Triglyceride and glucose are two types of molecules found in the human body, and they play important roles in energy metabolism.
Triglycerides:
Triglycerides are a type of fat (lipid) found in your blood. They are composed of three fatty acids attached to a glycerol molecule.
The body stores excess calories in the form of triglycerides in fat cells, and they can be released for energy when needed.
Glucose:
Glucose is a simple sugar that serves as a primary source of energy for the body's cells. It is derived from the digestion of carbohydrates in the food we eat and is transported through the bloodstream to provide energy for various cellular functions.
What is TyG Index
The Triglyceride Glucose (TyG) Index is a marker used in health and medical research to assess insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a condition where the body's cells become less responsive to the effects of insulin, leading to higher blood sugar levels. The TyG Index is calculated using the natural logarithm of the product of fasting triglycerides and fasting glucose levels.
TyG Formula
TyG Index = ln (FT x FG) / 2
Where:
- ln denotes the natural logarithm,
- FT is the fasting triglyceride expressed in mg/dL,
- FG is the fasting glucose expressed in mg/dL.
Optimal TyG Index value
"The TGI in the general population was 4.6±0.3 (male: 4.66±0.34 vs. female: 4.56±0.33, p=8.93x10 -10). The optimal cutoff point was 4.49, with a sensitivity of 82.6% and specificity of 82.1% (AUC=0.889, 95% CI: 0.854-0.924). There were no significant differences in the predictive capacity of the index when evaluated according to gender and age groups."
The index has been studied in various research settings as a potential tool for assessing insulin resistance, which is a key factor in the development of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. However, it's important to note that the TyG Index is not universally accepted as a diagnostic tool, and its use is still a subject of research and debate within the scientific community.
If you are considering using the TyG Index or have concerns about insulin resistance or metabolic health, it is recommended to consult with a healthcare professional. They can provide a more comprehensive evaluation of your health status and guide you on appropriate diagnostic and preventive measures.
Based on research by
- Salazar J, Bermúdez V, Calvo M, Olivar LC, Luzardo E, Navarro C, Mencia H, Martínez M, Rivas-Ríos J, Wilches-Durán S, Cerda M, Graterol M, Graterol R, Garicano C, Hernández J, Rojas J. Quon Optimal cutoff for the evaluation of insulin resistance through triglyceride-glucose index: A cross-sectional study in a Venezuelan population. F1000Res. 2017 Aug 7;6:1337.
- Chen X, Liu D, He W, Hu H, Wang W. Predictive performance of triglyceride glucose index (TyG index) to identify glucose status conversion: a 5-year longitudinal cohort study in Chinese pre-diabetes people. J Transl Med. 2023 Sep 15;21(1):624.