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When you eat, your body converts extra calories into chemical substances that it can use. Essentially, extra fats become lipids such as cholesterol and triglycerides, and extra carbohydrates are turned into blood glucose, a type of sugar.
Function
Traveling through the bloodstream, blood glucose provides energy to cells with the help of insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas. Triglycerides also store energy for cells to use. Both are essential to your body's functioning.
Tests
Your doctor may order blood tests to make sure your glucose and trigylceride levels fall within the normal range. These tests may require that you fast overnight beforehand.
Risks
High levels of triglycerides may be related to heart disease or may be a sign of diabetes. High glucose levels are also associated with diabetes which, if untreated, can lead to major complications such as heart attack, stroke, blindness or kidney failure.
Treatment
If the levels of glucose and triglycerides are mildly elevated, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes. These include exercising, eating more fruits and vegetables and consuming less alcohol, saturated fats and simple sugars.
Advanced Treatment
For severe cases of diabetes, treatment may include medication, administration of insulin or even a pancreas transplant. High levels of triglycerides are often treated with cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins.
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