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Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Serum Triglycerides - Triglyceride Level

Results and Values

What do the test results mean?

Triglyceride levels are defined as follows:

normal is less than 150 mg/dL

150-199 mg/dL is borderline high

200-499 mg/dL indicates high triglycerides

500 mg/dL or above indicates a very high triglyceride level

Abnormally high triglyceride levels may be due to:

alcohol abuse

chronic renal failure and other kidney diseases

cigarette smoking

diabetes

a diet in which more than 60% of the energy intake is from carbohydrates

hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid gland

inflammation of the pancreas, which in turn may be caused by high levels of triglycerides

an inherited, impaired ability to process fats that results in high levels of fats in the blood

lack of physical activity

overweight or obesity

medicines, including corticosteroids, estrogen, and high doses of beta-blockers

Abnormally low triglyceride levels may indicate the following:

impaired absorption of nutrients in the intestine

malnutrition

severe liver disease