Triglycerides and Diabetes

What are Triglycerides?

Body

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. To reduce elevated triglyceride levels:

  • Keep blood glucose levels in a normal range
  • Limit sugars, sweets, refined carbohydrates, and alcohol
  • Lose weight if you are overweight
  • Limit your intake of fats and saturated fats

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