High Triglycerides

What Are High Triglycerides?

High triglycerides is a phrase often used by medical professionals. The goal of this page is to answer the question what are high triglycerides, what causes high triglycerides, why it's important for you to know if you have high triglycerides, and to provide information on high triglycerides medications.

What does "high triglycerides" mean?

As evidence mounts that high blood cholesterol can lead to heart disease and other health risks, we're hearing more and more about high triglycerides. But exactly what does "high triglycerides" mean?

Triglycerides are basically the chemical form of fat that exists in food and in the human body. They can also be found in plasma. They are a major source of energy and the most common type of fat in your body.

When combined with cholesterol, triglycerides form something called plasma lipids. Triglycerides in plasma come from fats that are in the food we eat along fats produced by the body itself.

When our body doesn't burn all the calories that come from food we eat, those calories are converted to triglycerides and stored in fat cells. These fat cells are then burned as energy between meals.

Causes and risks

The problem arises when the body uses fewer triglycerides than it stores, and fat levels begin to build up. A condition known as high triglycerides results, which can cause a group of conditions called metabolic syndrome can result. This syndrome, which includes health threats like high blood pressure, high blood sugar, too much fat around the waist, and low HDL ("good") cholesterol, can increase your risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

Triglycerides are measured by a blood test. Below 150 is considered good. High triglyceride levels are 200 or above.

Sometimes high blood cholesterol and high triglycerides are caused by heredity. But there are also conditions and circumstances that may be factors, including:

• Hypothyroidism (also known as low thyroid or underactive thyroid).
• Excessive use of alcohol.
• Kidney disease.
• Obesity.
• Poorly controlled diabetes.
• Poor diet and overeating.

Certain medicines may also cause high triglycerides: beta-blockers, birth control pills, diuretics, estrogen, steroids and Tamoxifen. 

High triglycerides usually do not cause symptoms. However, people with high triglycerides often get pancreatitis, which is an inflammation of the pancreas. Pancreatitis can cause sudden, severe abdomen pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and fever. 

Anyone who is obese or overweight should try to shed some pounds: this is be the best way to lower triglyceride levels. The formula is simple--more exercise and a low cholesterol diet that includes cholesterol free foods--but not always easy to do.

Most nutritionists believe that limiting fats, sugars, and alcohol consumption will be helpful.

High triglycerides medications

Some cholesterol-lowering medications called statins may also help. But drugs called nicotinic acid (or niacin) and fibrates have shown much promise in research. Your doctor may suggest a combination of options if high triglycerides are a problem.

Related: Cholesterol Lowering Foods
 

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