Most people know that cholesterol levels affect overall health. But not everybody knows that different types of fats have different effects on the body. Triglycerides are one of these fats, and the less you have of them, the better. It's important to have your triglyceride levels tested and to know what the results mean. Lowering your triglyceride levels can, in some cases, literally mean the difference between life and death.
Significance
Triglycerides are a type of fat that is in the food you eat. They are also produced by the body. If you eat too many calories for your body to use, the extra calories turn into triglycerides. The body stores the triglycerides and uses them for energy later on. Everyone has triglycerides, but if you have too many of them, it can be a sign of developing or existing health problems. That's why it's important to have your triglyceride levels tested.
Considerations
Certain medical conditions can raise your triglyceride levels, including kidney disease, hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), and diabetes, if it's not well controlled. Obesity also can lead to high triglyceride levels. Even if you don't have any of these conditions and are at a good weight level, smoking, physical inactivity, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, and eating too much can bump up your triglyceride levels. People who eat a diet high in carbohydrates (over 60 percent of calories) are especially at risk.
Some medications can also cause high triglyceride levels, including beta-blockers, diuretics and tamoxifen. Women on birth control pills or estrogen can experience high triglyceride levels.
Warning
While they usually don't directly cause symptoms, high triglyceride levels are linked to a number of serious conditions. People with metabolic syndrome have high levels of triglycerides and also high blood sugar levels, high blood pressure and low levels of "good" HDL cholesterol. They also have large amounts of fat around the stomach. Metabolic syndrome puts you at risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. Very high triglyceride levels can trigger pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas, but this is uncommon.
Function
Triglyceride tests are usually done when your doctor does a lipid profile. A lipid profile measures the amount of fats in your blood, such as triglycerides and HDL ("good") and LDL ("bad") cholesterol. When you get your lipid profile results, you can tell whether your triglyceride levels are normal or high by using this set of standards from the National Cholesterol Education Program:
Normal: Less than 150 mg/dL
Borderline-high: 150 to 199 mg/dL
High: 200 to 499 mg/dL
Very high: 500 mg/dL or higher
Prevention/Solution
Some people are genetically predisposed to high triglyceride levels. However, most of the time you can do something to change your triglyceride levels. The best way to do this is to change your habits. Quit smoking and limit the amount of fat and sugar you eat and the amount of alcohol you drink. For more information on a heart-healthy diet, visit the American Heart Association website (see Resources below). Losing weight helps lower triglyceride levels, and getting more exercise is a good way to lose weight: Even if you don't shed pounds, your triglyceride levels should drop.
If lifestyle changes don't work well enough, your doctor may prescribe medication. Niacin and fibrates are used to treat high triglyceride levels.
Tags: triglyceride levels, your triglyceride levels, your triglyceride, high triglyceride, high triglyceride levels, lipid profile