Triglyceride Test (cont.)
How are triglyceride levels measured?
Triglyceride levels in the blood are measured by a simple blood test. Often,
it is part of a lipoprotein panel in which triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL (high
density lipoprotein), and LDL (low density lipoprotein) are measured at
the same time.
Fasting for 12 hours before the test is required. Fat levels in the blood are
affected by recent eating and digestion. Falsely elevated results may occur if
the blood test is done just after eating.
What are normal triglyceride levels, and what does high triglyceride levels mean?
Elevated triglycerides place an individual at risk for atherosclerosis.
Triglyceride and cholesterol levels are measured in the blood to provide a
method of screening for this risk.
- Normal triglyceride levels in the blood are less than
150mg per deciliter (mg/dL).
- Borderline levels are between 150-200 mg/dL.
- High levels of triglycerides (greater than 200 mg/dl)
are associated with a increased risk of atherosclerosis and therefore
coronary artery disease and stroke.
- Extremely high triglyceride levels (greater than
500mg/dl) may cause pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).
How can I lower my triglyceride levels?
Returning triglycerides to normal will decrease the risk
of heart attack and
stroke. Depending on the level, treatment may include dietary modification,
medications, or both. A health care practitioner is an important
resource to help a patient keep both cholesterol and triglyceride levels within normal
limits. The following recommendations from
Betty Kovacs, MS, RD, will help lower triglyceride levels:
- Decreasing your intake of sugar: If you have a sweet tooth, try to set limits on how often and how much sugar you consume. You can cut your intake in half to begin with, and continue cutting back from there. Remember to read the labels to check for sugar content in both food and beverages.
- Changing from white to brown: If you eat white rice, bread, and pasta, switch to whole wheat products. It may take a little while to get used to the difference in taste, but it's worth the effort for the benefits to your health. There are lots of new products on the market, so experiment until you find the one that you like best.
- Cut back on the booze: Even
small amounts of alcohol have been shown to elevate triglycerides, so cut back to as little alcohol consumption as possible. If you choose to drink, try to cut down on the amount of alcohol in your drink by mixing it with non-caloric beverages such as seltzer, tonic water, or diet soda.
- Switching fats: To lower your triglycerides, you want to change the kind of fat that you eat. Limit or avoid foods with saturated and trans fat. These include fried foods, lard, butter, whole milk, ice cream, commercial baked goods, meats, and cheese. Switch to monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. The best sources of these fats are olive oil, canola oil, nuts, and fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, lake trout, sardines, herring, and albacore tuna. The food labels will tell you which kind of fat you are eating, so be sure to check them out.
Last Editorial Review: 10/1/2008
- Beta Blockers - Learn more about Beta Blockers, a drug that treats angina and other heart rhythm disorders, migraines, high blood pressure, panic attacks, and tremors. Generic and brand names are included in the article.
- Complete Blood Count (CBC) - A complete blood count (CBC) measures the concentration of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets in the blood and aids in the diagnosis of conditions and diseases such as anemia, malignancies, and immune disorders.
- Diabetes - Learn about type 1 and 2 diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus) symptoms including increased urination, thirst, weight loss, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, skin infections, and blurred vision. Causes and diagnosis information is provided in the information.
Latest Medical News
|
|
 |
From WebMD
Cholesterol Resources
Featured Centers
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
|
Cholesterol RSS