Triglycerides are the major form of fat. Triglycerides come from the food we eat and are produced by the body.
Triglyceride levels are influenced by recent fat and alcohol intake. You should therefore fast (from food) for at least 12 hours and abstain from alcohol for at least 24 hours before being tested for triglycerides.
The test is a simple blood test. The normal levels of triglycerides depend on the age and sex of the individual.
Mild to moderate triglyceride increases occur in a large number of conditions including alcohol abuse, obstruction of the bile ducts, and diabetes.
High levels of triglycerides (greater than 200 mg/dl) are associated with a heightened risk of coronary heart disease.
Markedly high triglyceride levels (greater than 500mg/dl) can cause inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).
Therefore, high levels should be treated aggressively with low fat diets and, if needed, medications.
The word "triglyceride" reflects the fact that a triglyceride consists of three ("tri-") molecules of fatty acid combined with a molecule of the alcohol glycerol ("-glyceride") that serves as the backbone in many types of lipids (fats).
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