From the Guidelines
Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the blood, and elevated levels can be caused by a combination of factors including poor diet, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, physical inactivity, certain medical conditions, and genetic factors. The most recent and highest quality study, 1, suggests that lifestyle interventions, such as weight loss, regular exercise, and dietary changes, are the first line of therapy for managing hypertriglyceridemia. Some key factors that contribute to elevated triglyceride levels include:
- Poor diet high in carbohydrates and sugars
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Obesity and physical inactivity
- Certain medical conditions like diabetes and hypothyroidism
- Genetic factors
- Certain medications, such as estrogen, corticosteroids, retinoids, beta-blockers, diuretics, and certain antipsychotics Management of hypertriglyceridemia typically involves lifestyle changes, and medications like fibrates, niacin, or statins may be prescribed if lifestyle modifications are not sufficient, as recommended by 1. It's also important to note that consistently high triglyceride levels can contribute to hardening of the arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and pancreatitis, as mentioned in 1. Normal triglyceride levels are less than 150 mg/dL, while levels above 200 mg/dL are considered high, according to 1. Overall, a comprehensive approach to managing hypertriglyceridemia should include lifestyle interventions, medication if necessary, and regular monitoring of triglyceride levels to reduce the risk of associated health problems.
From the FDA Drug Label
The initial treatment for dyslipidemia is dietary therapy specific for the type of lipoprotein abnormality. Excess body weight and excess alcoholic intake may be important factors in hypertriglyceridemia and should be addressed prior to any drug therapy. Diseases contributory to hyperlipidemia, such as hypothyroidism or diabetes mellitus should be looked for and adequately treated. Estrogen therapy, thiazide diuretics and beta-blockers, are sometimes associated with massive rises in plasma triglycerides, especially in subjects with familial hypertriglyceridemia
Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the blood. Elevated triglyceride levels can be caused by several factors, including:
- Excess body weight
- Excess alcoholic intake
- Diseases such as hypothyroidism or diabetes mellitus
- Certain medications, including estrogen therapy, thiazide diuretics, and beta-blockers 2 2
From the Research
Definition of Triglycerides
- Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the blood, and high levels of triglycerides can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and pancreatitis 3, 4, 5.
- Triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRL) and their remnants are important contributors to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) 4.
Causes of Elevated Triglycerides
- Common risk factors for hypertriglyceridemia include obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes mellitus 3.
- Less common risk factors include excessive alcohol use, physical inactivity, being overweight, use of certain medications, and genetic disorders 3.
- Lifestyle factors, such as diet and physical activity, can also contribute to elevated triglyceride levels 3, 6.
- Certain medical conditions, such as hypertriglyceridemia, can also increase the risk of pancreatitis 3, 4, 5.
Management of Elevated Triglycerides
- Dietary changes, such as lowering carbohydrate intake and increasing fat and protein intake, can help lower triglyceride levels 3, 6.
- Moderate- to high-intensity physical activity can also lower triglyceride levels and improve body composition and exercise capacity 3.
- Medications, such as statins, fibrates, and omega-3 fatty acids, may be considered for patients with high triglyceride levels or those at high risk of cardiovascular disease 3, 4, 7.
- High-dose omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to lower triglyceride levels, reduce cardiovascular events, and prevent coronary plaque progression 7, 6.