High Triglycerides

High Triglycerides
High Triglycerides

Overview Of High Triglycerides

Triglycerides are a type of fat. They are the most common type of fat in your body. They come from foods, especially butter, oils, and other fats you eat. They also come from extra calories. These are the calories that you eat, but your body does not need right away. Your body changes these extra calories into triglycerides and stores them in fat cells. When your body needs energy, it then releases them. Your VLDL cholesterol particles carry the lipids to your tissues.

Having a high level of triglycerides can raise your risk of heart diseases, such as coronary artery disease.

Causes

Factors that can cause high triglycerides include:

  • Regularly eating more calories than you burn off, especially if you eat a lot of sugar
  • Being overweight or having obesity
  • Cigarette smoking
  • Excessive alcohol use
  • Certain medicines
  • Some genetic disorders
  • Thyroid diseases
  • Poorly controlled type 2 diabetes
  • Liver or kidney diseases

Exams & Tests

There is a blood test that measures your triglycerides, along with your cholesterol. Levels are measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).

Levels above 150mg/dl may raise your risk for heart disease. A level of 150 mg/dL or higher is also a risk factor for metabolic syndrome.

Treatment Of High Triglycerides

You may be able to lower your levels with lifestyle changes:

  • Controlling your weight
  • Regular physical activity
  • Not smoking
  • Limiting sugar and refined foods
  • Limiting alcohol
  • Switching from saturated fats to healthier fats
  • Some people will also need to take cholesterol medicines to lower their triglycerides.