What should triglycerides be

When a person eats, the body converts any unneeded calories into triglycerides for later use — such as between meals when the body needs energy. If a person regularly ingests more calories than their body needs for energy, their levels of triglycerides may become elevated. Doctors classify normal-to-high levels as follows:. These include cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, pancreatitis , and fatty liver disease.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC note that high triglyceride levels are linked to an elevated risk of heart attack or stroke if a person also has low levels of high-density lipoprotein HDL cholesterol or high levels of low-density lipoprotein LDL cholesterol.

According to the NHLBI , high triglyceride levels are one of the risk factors for metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome raises the risk of stroke, heart disease , and diabetes. Doctors may diagnose metabolic syndrome in someone who has at least three risk factors, including a large waistline, high blood pressure, and high triglyceride levels. Researchers note that very high triglyceride levels pose a significantly increased risk of pancreatitis. They add that the risk of hypertriglyceridemia-related pancreatitis may be especially high in people who have uncontrolled diabetes.

High triglyceride levels may also lead to fatty liver disease , which is a buildup of excess fat in the liver. The condition may result in inflammation and liver damage, causing scarring and, possibly, liver cancer. Doctors check triglyceride levels with a lipid profile, which they may refer to as a cholesterol test.

The CDC state that a person having the test may need to refrain from drinking and eating for 8—12 hours beforehand.

They also recommend the following:. Factors that can raise your triglyceride level 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 How are high triglycerides diagnosed?

What are the treatments for high triglycerides? You may be able to lower your triglyceride 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.

Start Here. Diagnosis and Tests. Related Issues. Triglycerides Hormone Health Network. Triglycerides adults. Rochester, Minn. Hyperlipidemia adult. See also After a flood, are food and medicines safe to use?

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Soy: Does it reduce cholesterol? Triglycerides can be raised due to what doctors refer to as 'primary' and 'secondary' causes, explained below. Some people have a combination of both. It is very important that your doctors investigates all these potential causes so that you can start treatment. People with high triglyceride levels often have low HDL cholesterol good cholesterol as well. This is an unhealthy combination of blood fats that's often linked with premature heart disease.

People with Type 2 diabetes usually have high LDL cholesterol bad cholesterol as well. This type of cholesterol is 'atherogenic', meaning it clogs up the arteries, leading to heart attacks and strokes. As with many conditions that raise blood fats, diet and lifestyle changes are the cornerstones of treatment.

Triglycerides tend to be very responsive to changes in diet and lifestyle. Reach and maintain a healthy body weight Regular exercise and losing weight if you need to can often lower triglyceride levels significantly. If changes to your lifestyle don't lower your triglyceride levels enough or you have been diagnosed with a genetic condition, then you may need medication.

Statins are usually the first line of treatment. Cholesterol specialists may also prescribe medications such as fibrates and omega 3 acid ethyl esters.