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University of Illinois Extension

What are Triglycerides?

Triglycerides are the chemical form in which most fat exists. Triglycerides are the human body's storage form of fat. Blood triglyceride levels above 150 mg/dl are considered high, and may also play a role in forming plaque. Being overweight, drinking large amounts of alcohol, having diabetes and hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) can cause high blood triglycerides. weird toes on a scaleTo reduce elevated triglyceride levels:

If you would like to find out your HDL, LDL, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, ask your health care provider for a lipid profile. A blood lipid profile is a blood test for your total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and triglyceride level, (LDL-cholesterol is estimated from these numbers).

*Note: You need to fast for 12 hours before a blood lipid profile

This site was last updated June, 2014.