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High Triglycerides

Overview

What are triglycerides?

Triglycerides are a type of fat found in your blood. Your body uses them for energy.

You need some triglycerides for good health. But high triglycerides might raise your risk of heart disease and may be a sign of Reference metabolic syndrome Opens New Window.

Metabolic syndrome is the combination of high blood pressure, high blood sugar, too much fat around the waist, low HDL ("good") cholesterol, and high triglycerides. Metabolic syndrome increases your risk for heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.

A blood test that measures your Reference cholesterol Opens New Window also measures your triglycerides. For a general idea about your triglycerides level, compare your test results to the following:^{Reference 1}

Normal is less than 150.
Borderline-high is 150 to 199.
High is 200 to 499.
Very high is 500 or higher.

What causes high triglycerides?

High triglycerides are usually caused by other conditions, such as:

Obesity.
Poorly controlled Reference diabetes Opens New Window.
An underactive thyroid (Reference hypothyroidism Opens New Window).
Kidney disease.
Regularly eating more calories than you burn.
Drinking a lot of alcohol.

Certain medicines may also raise triglycerides. These medicines include:

Tamoxifen.
Steroids.
Reference Beta-blockers Opens New Window.
Reference Diuretics Opens New Window.
Reference Estrogen Opens New Window.
Birth control pills.

In a few cases, high triglycerides also can run in families.

What are the symptoms?

High triglycerides usually don't cause symptoms.

But if your high triglycerides are caused by a genetic condition, you may see fatty deposits under your skin. These are called xanthomas (say "zan-THOH-muhs").

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Learning about high triglycerides:	Reference What are high triglycerides? Reference What causes them? Reference How is metabolic syndrome related to high triglycerides?
Being diagnosed:	Reference What are the symptoms of high triglycerides? Reference How do I know if I have them? Reference When should I get a cholesterol and triglycerides test?
Getting treatment:	Reference What is the treatment for high triglycerides?
Ongoing concerns:	Reference What are familial lipid disorders?
Living with high triglycerides:	Reference How can I eat a healthier diet that is low in saturated fat? Reference What is a heart-healthy diet? Reference How can I eat fewer calories to lower my triglycerides? Reference How can I count carbohydrate grams in my diet?

By:	Reference Healthwise Staff	Last Revised: Reference June 29, 2012
Medical Review:	Reference Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Reference Robert A. Kloner, MD, PhD - Cardiology Reference Rakesh K. Pai, MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.