The medical term used for high blood cholesterol and triglycerides is lipid disorder. This disorder occurs when you have too many fatty substances in your blood. Many lipid disorders are associated with being overweight; however, they may also be associated with other diseases including diabetes, metabolic syndrome (sometimes called the insulin resistance syndrome), underactive thyroid or as a result of certain medications (such as those used for anti-rejection regimens in people who have had transplants).

A lipid disorder increases your risk for atherosclerosis, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure (hypertension) and other problems.