Triglycerides are a certain type of fat that is present in our blood. Small amounts of triglycerides are needed to carry out regular body functions but an excess will cause in heart diseases. A higher level of triglycerides can also exist as a result of a metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a condition in which a person has a combination of high blood sugar, high blood pressure, high Triglycerides and low HDL cholesterol. This condition increases the risk of stroke, diabetes and heart diseases. Test and measurement The amount of triglyceride can be measured using the same blood test used to measure cholesterol. Normal range is considered to fall below 150 (mg/dL) 150-199 (mg/dL) is the borderline high 200-499 (mg/dL) is supposed to be high Anything above 500 is considered very high Causes Triglycerides can be caused by other underlying conditions. Certain medicines can also increase the count of triglycerides in the blood. In rare cases, triglyceride abnormality can also be hereditary. Here are some of the main causes: Obesity Diabetes Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) Eating more calories than required regularly Drinking high quantity of alcohol Use of birth control pills, steroids, estrogen Controlling Triglycerides Instead of relying on medications, it is better to control triglycerides with a proper diet and a healthy lifestyle.