Triglycerides are the chemical form of most of the fat in the foods that you eat. Your body also makes additional triglycerides from the extra calories you consume. The triglycerides are transported to fat cells for storage, and make up about 95% of the body’s fatty tissue. High triglycerides can be a consequence of medical conditions such as diabetes or being overweight, or as a result of medications like birth control pills or estrogen replacement therapy. Triglycerides are also increased by drinking too much alcohol or eating large quantities of sugar.

To better understand your overall risk, your provider may test your triglyceride level. When blood is drawn to measure triglyceride levels, it is very important to be in a fasting state, without food for at least 8-12 hours. Any small amount of food or sugary liquid will increase triglyceride levels and make the measurement inaccurate.

High triglyceride levels appear to be associated with a number of different medical conditions. For example, the risk of heart disease and stroke is increased by elevated levels of triglycerides, although the exact mechanism of risk is not known. Extremely elevated levels of triglycerides place you at an increased risk for an inflammation of the pancreas, an organ responsible for making digestive enzymes and insulin. This condition is known as pancreatitis.