What Causes High Triglycerides But Normal Cholesterol

High Cholesterol High Hdl Low Triglycerides

Dr T

Question: Answer:

There are 2 kinds of LDL cholesterol, A and B, of which B is associated with heart disease.Most labs calculate LDL as follows:

LDL = Total Cholesterol HDL triglycerides/5.

This doesnt explain the difference between LDL A or B .

Studies have shown that there is a strong correlation between a low triglyceride/high HDL level and LDL pattern A .

On the other hand, a high triglyceride/low HDL level is strongly associated with LDL pattern B . Thus high triglycerides are an independent risk factor for heart disease.

From this you can calculate that in your situation a high LDL is mostly Type A , confirmed by a high HDL and low triglyrerides and that therefore there a very low risk of heart disease.

Having high cholesterol may still be healthy if good cholesterol levels, triglycerides, and other markers of cardiovascular health are good. You can calculate this here. People with high good cholesterol levels and low levels of triglycerides may actually be at a lower risk for heart disease than people with normal cholesterol levels who have lower levels of good cholesterol and higher levels of bad cholesterol.

Hope this helps,

When To Seek Medical Advice

A high triglyceride level often does not produce any symptoms, so this condition is usually diagnosed during routine blood tests including a lipid panel.

If the patient does not have any medical conditions or bad lifestyle choices, then the doctor usually orders a lipid panel to be done every few years to assess the triglyceride and cholesterol levels.

If the triglyceride levels are detected above the normal range in the lipid panel, then the doctor will usually recommend lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet as the first line of treatment for hypertriglyceridemia. If diet and exercise are not effective in lowering the high triglycerides, then medications, such as fibrates or statins are prescribed.

How Often The Triglyceride Level Should Be Tested

According to The American Heart Association, individuals over the age of 20 years should get tested for their triglycerides level about every 4 to 6 years. Testing the levels of triglycerides also depends on your health and can be done more often depending on the doctorâs advice. Children between the ages of 9 and 11 should be checked once and children between the ages of 17 and 21 should also check their triglyceride levels at least once between these ages.

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Dangers Of Low Triglycerides

Low triglyceride levels are generally not dangerous. In fact, research supports the idea that low triglyceride levels can offer certain health benefits.

In one 2014 study, researchers found that lower non-fasting triglyceride levels were associated with a reduction in all-cause mortality in almost 14,000 study participants.

Another smaller 2017 study found that low triglyceride levels were linked to improved brain function in older adults without dementia.

However, incredibly low triglyceride levels may be linked to other conditions, as mentioned above. Some of these conditions in and of themselves may be dangerous, so it becomes important to treat the underlying condition thats causing low triglycerides.

My Cholesterol Is Normal But My Triglycerides Are High: Why Is That

So both your HDL and LDL levels are where they should be, but your triglycerides are still high why is that?

Triglycerides become elevated due to excess calories that do not get burned off, and in turned get stored in fat cells. Statins are medications that primarily lower LDL cholesterol, but depending on the medication dose, can lower Triglycerides from 20 to 40 percent, Sai Hanumanthu MD, with the TriHealth Heart Institute explains.

There are steps you can take to lower your triglyceride levels while promoting good cardiovascular health, including:

• Losing 5 to 10 pounds if overweight
• Avoiding alcohol
• Avoiding foods high in saturated fats
• Limiting simple carbs that have high processed sugars .
• Participating in 30 minutes of exercise per day

All these suggestions and routine follow up with a medical professional will lower you triglyceride level, even despite a low total cholesterol, Dr. Hanumanthu says.

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Normal Cholesterol High Triglycerides

Even though your latest physical may have shown that your cholesterol levels are normal, you may still be at risk for heart disease if your triglycerides level is high.

A 20-year study conducted by the University of Washington School of Public Health and Community Medicine found that a pattern of elevated levels of triglycerides, the main form of fats circulating in the bloodstream, even when cholesterol levels are normal, can mean a two- to three-fold increase of deaths by cardiovascular disease.

Blood triglycerides come from two main sources: the food you eat-especially sugar, animal products and saturated fats-and from your liver. Although it’s not exactly clear how, high triglyceride levels can result in hardening of the arteries or thickening of the artery walls , which can raise your risk for stroke, heart attack, and heart disease.

• Normal triglyceride levels are less than 150 milligrams per deciliter
• Borderline high is 150-199 mg/dl high is 200-499 mg/dl
• Very high 500 mg/dl. A triglyceride level of 150 mg/dl or above is considered a risk for metabolic syndrome-a constellation of conditions resulting from too much fat around the waist-which in addition to raising your risk for heart disease, it can also increase your risk for diabetes.

Controlling High Triglycerides: Medical Treatment

People with heart disease and high triglycerides may medication to bring down their levels. Fibrates can lower triglycerides. They modestly cholesterol levels, too. Fish oil with omega – fatty acids can help keep triglycerides under control. Ask your doctor whether you should use fish oil. Omega – acids from plant sources like flaxseed may help. Niacin can lower triglycerides by up 50 percentage . It’s available as non – prescription supplement and as prescription drug. Statins are standard drug for unhealthy cholesterol levels to reduce bad cholesterol levels and reduce your risk of heart disease. They also lower triglycerides. Pcsk9 Inhibitors are another class of medications that may be used addition to statins or by themselves. They have been found prevent heart attacks and strokes. They also lower cholesterol levels. Some doctors recommend fibrates, fish oil, or niacin help bring down triglyceride levels. Remember that to stay healthy and your triglycerides down, you still have to focus on improving your lifestyle. When you talk to your doctor, discuss all of medicines, supplements, and vitamins you take. Some common drugs – like beta – blockers, birth control pills, and diuretics – can cause high triglycerides as side effect. It’s possible that one of them be causing your problem.

* Please keep in mind that all text is machine-generated, we do not bear any responsibility, and you should always get advice from professionals before taking any actions.

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What Causes High Triglycerides And Low Or Normal Cholesterol Levels

by Dr. Sanjiv Khanse | Diseases and Conditions

Usually, high triglycerides are associated with low HDL values and high LDL levels. If you have such a lipid disorder, you have to take some serious steps to normalize your lipid profile. See your doctor for treatment and therapeutic lifestyle changes.

But occasionally, you may see that the triglycerides are high and the cholesterol levels are okay. There are certain reasons for this occurrence.

There have even been cases where the triglycerides are very high and the LDL, the bad cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol are low. This also causes the total cholesterol levels to fall.

Triglycerides and cholesterol are both types of fats, both having their own functions to perform in the body.

Triglycerides are the major portion of fats in the body. they are the source of energy and are mainly stored in the adipose tissue.

Cholesterol moves through the bloodstream riding piggy back on the soluble proteins in the form of lipoproteins.

They are mainly of two types:

LDL cholesterol is referred to as the bad cholesterol because its high levels can have dangerous consequences in the body such as atherosclerosis increasing your risk of heart attack, stroke and more.

HDL cholesterol is referred to as the good cholesterol because it carries off the excess LDL cholesterol and atherosclerotic plaques to the liver to be processed. It is then passed through the bile in the intestines for removal from the body.

What Are The Causes And Symptoms Of High Triglycerides

Causes include obesity, eating too much unhealthy food, genetics, certain illnesses including poorly controlled diabetes, kidney disease, and underactive thyroid . Some drugs, such as steroids and birth control pills, and drinking a lot of alcohol can also cause it.

Most people have no symptoms. Very high levels can cause small fat deposits under the skin and a painful inflammation of the pancreas called pancreatitis.

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How To Prepare For The Test

You should not eat for 8 to 12 hours before the test.

Alcohol and some medicines can interfere with blood test results.

• Make sure your health care provider knows what medicines you take, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements.
• Your provider will tell you if you need to stop taking any medicines before you have this test.
• DO NOT stop or change your medicines without talking to your provider first.

Lowering Your Triglyceride Levels

Making some simple lifestyle changes can go a long way in helping bring down your triglyceride levels, including:

• Losing weight. Dropping just five to ten pounds can help lower your triglycerides.
• Avoiding sugary and refined foods. Stay away from simple carbohydrates, such as sugar and foods made with white flour.
• Eliminating trans and saturated fats. Trans fats are found in fried foods and commercial baked products like cookies and crackers and saturated fats are found in meats. Instead, choose healthier monounsaturated fats found in plants, such as olive, peanut and canola oils, and fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and mackerel.
• Limiting alcohol consumption. Alcohol is high in calories and sugar and effects triglycerides. Even small amounts of alcohol can raise triglyceride levels.
• Maintaining regular exercise. Regular exercise can increase HDL cholesterol levels and lower LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week.

If making some lifestyle adjustments isn’t enough to control your triglyceride levels, a medication may be necessary. Talk with your doctor to determine the best course of action for you to ensure a healthy heart.

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High Total Cholesterol Normal Ldl High Hdl Normal Triglycerides

In this case, the high total cholesterol is less troublesome since it’s largely due to elevated HDL . The fact that HDL is high and LDL is normal also makes for a favorable HDL:LDL ratio. Although, extremely high levels of HDL cholesterol can be due to genetics. Generally, HDL levels shouldn’t exceed 116 mg/dL for men and 135 mg/dL for women.2

How Can You Lower Your High Triglycerides

You can make diet and lifestyle changes to help lower your levels.

• Lose weight and stay at a healthy weight.
• Limit fats and sugars in your diet.
• Be more active.
• Quit smoking.
• Limit alcohol.

You also may need medicine to help lower your triglycerides. But your doctor likely will ask you to try diet and lifestyle changes first.

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How Are High Triglycerides Found

A blood test called a lipid panel measures triglycerides and cholesterol. You should have this test after fasting for at least 12 hours.

Adults should get this screening test every five years or sooner. If you have diabetes, a family history of high triglycerides, or other risk factors, you may need screening more often, according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Guidelines 13).

Rare Causes Of High Triglycerides

Certain medical conditions and states can cause high triglyceride levels, but they are not as common a trigger as some of the better-known causes. These include:

Familial hypertriglyceridemia: A rare genetic disorder that causes high triglyceride levels that exceed 1,000 mg/dL. As the name suggests, this condition runs in families with members having abnormal levels of high-density lipoprotein , low-density lipoprotein , and triglycerides.

Pregnancy: Triglyceride levels rise in expectant mothers and tend to peak during the third trimester. However, after giving birth, most women experience a return to normal levels.

Liver disease: The liver plays an important role in processing fats. If it becomes compromised in some way, such as in the case of fatty liver disease, overproduction and accumulation of fat in liver cells can occur. This leads to excessive amounts of inflammation and even death if no treatment is implemented. Proper liver function can be disrupted by alcoholism, malnutrition, pregnancy, poisoning, diabetes, hypothyroidism, kidney disease, and lupus.

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What To Know About Triglycerides

In addition to cholesterol, you might hear about your triglycerides, another kind of fat found in the bloodstream. Women should pay particular attention to this. A high level of triglycerides seems to predict an even greater risk for heart disease in women compared with men, says Michos.

When you take in more calories than you need, your body converts the extra calories into triglycerides, which are then stored in fat cells. Triglycerides are used by the body for energy, but people with excess triglycerides have higher risk of medical problems, including cardiovascular disease. Drinking a lot of alcohol and eating foods containing simple carbohydrates , saturated fats and trans fats contributes to high triglycerides. High levels may also be caused by health conditions such as diabetes, an underactive thyroid, obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome or kidney disease.

Triglycerides also circulate in the bloodstream on particles that may contribute to plaque formation. Many people with high triglycerides have other risk factors for atherosclerosis, including high LDL levels or low HDL levels, or abnormal blood sugar levels. Genetic studies have also shown some association between triglycerides and cardiovascular disease.

High Cholesterol: Prevention, Treatment and Research

How Often Should I Get A Cholesterol Test

When and how often you should get a cholesterol test depends on your age, risk factors, and family history. The general recommendations are:

For people who are age 19 or younger::

• The first test should be between ages 9 to 11
• Children should have the test again every 5 years
• Some children may have this test starting at age 2 if there is a family history of high blood cholesterol, heart attack, or stroke

For people who are age 20 or older::

• Younger adults should have the test every 5 years
• Men ages 45 to 65 and women ages 55 to 65 should have it every 1 to 2 years

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Normal Cholesterol With High Triglycerides What Is That

When measuring total cholesterol levels, low-density lipoprotein , high-density lipoprotein , and triglycerides are used in the measurement.

For adults, standard cholesterol levels are:

• Less than 200 mg/dL is desirable
• Between 200 – 239 mg/dL is considered borderline
• Over 240 mg/dL is considered high

Treatment Options For High Triglycerides

Having high triglycerides can raise serious health concerns, so its important to boost HDL cholesterol and lower triglyceride levels. Here are some tips in order to lower triglycerides.

• Lose weight.
• Cut out sugar the American Heart Association recommends only five percent of your daily calories come from added sugar.
• Increase your fiber intake.
• Limit fructose fructose is a type of sugar that can contribute to high triglyceride levels.
• Eat a moderately low-fat diet a moderately low-fat diet has been shown to be more effective at lowering triglyceride levels, compared to a strict low-fat diet. The AHA recommends that 25 to 35 percent of your daily calories should come from fat.
• Be mindful of the fat you eat there are good fats and bad fats. Avoid saturated and trans fats, and consume more monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fat typically found in olive oil, for example.
• Increase your fish intake try salmon and sardines.
• Exercise
• Take triglyceride-lowering drugs if necessary and recommended by your doctor.
• Quit smoking.
• Control diabetes if you have it.

By following these tips and working close with your doctor, you can have much success in lowering your triglyceride levels and protecting your heart.

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Low Hdl High Triglycerides

Low HDL, High triglycerides is a common cholesterol disorder. However, many people stay focused on LDL cholesterol. Often, they have no clue why they have low HDL, high triglycerides and how to raise HDL cholesterol and lower triglycerides level.

There are three types of cholesterol you should know about:

1. HDL cholesterol, also known as the good cholesterol.

2. LDL cholesterol, also known as the bad cholesterol.

3. Triglycerides

What Causes Elevated Triglycerides In Dogs

• Is high triglycerides curable?

The cause may be a lack of an enzyme needed to help metabolize fat and get it out of the bloodstream. In some cases the problem appears along with another disorder such as hypothyroidism, pancreatitis, or diabetes. If a primary disease is identified and treated, the triglyceride levels should drop to normal.

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Proper Cholesterol And Triglyceride Ratios

According to the National Cholesterol Education Program, normal and high triglycerides levels may be defined normal triglycerides under 150 mg/dL, borderline high triglycerides between 150 and 199 mg/dL, high triglycerides between 200 and 499 mg/dL, and very high triglycerides 500 mg/dL and over . However, we must look at your cholesterol levels and cholesterol-triglycerides ratios to understand your health status and health risk.

Triglycerides and cholesterol are both fats or lipids in your blood. But they are different. As youve learned, triglycerides store calories inside our fat cells to be used for energy later. Cholesterol, on the other hand, is needed to build cells and create certain hormones.

HDL cholesterol, on the other hand, is also referred to as good cholesterol because it helps to return cholesterol to the liver and prevent plaque in your arteries. HDL cholesterol is critical for reducing your risk of blood clots, heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.

LDL cholesterol is often referred to as bad cholesterol. LDL transports cholesterol as well as fat soluble nutrients like vitamin A, D, E and K2 to your arteries. Certain types of LDL cholesterol are prone to oxidation in the artery walls. Oxidized cholesterol can lead to arterial plaque that limits blood flow and cause blood clots blocking blood flow to your brain or heart and risking a stroke or a heart attack.

Total Cholesterol:

• High: 150 or higher
• Very high: 500 or higher