triglyceride estimation

TRIGLYCERIDES ESTIMATION

by Dr KHALED SALEH ALGARIRI

21 July 2014

What is the Triglyceride Level Test? The triglyceride level test helps to determine

the amount of triglycerides in your blood. Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the

blood. The test helps determine your risk of developing heart disease. The test is also referred to as a “triacylglycerol test.”


TRIGLYCERIDES ESTIMATIONWhat Are Triglycerides? Triglycerides are a type of lipid and are the body’s storage

form for calories that it does not use right away. These triglycerides circulate in the blood to provide energy for your muscles to work. After you eat, extra triglycerides can be found in the blood. If you eat more calories than your body needs, your triglyceride level may be high.

Triglycerides are carried through your blood by very low-density lipoproteins (VLDLs). VLDL is a type of lipoprotein, like low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). VLDL measurements can be helpful information when you and your doctor talk about options for reducing your triglyceride level.


Why Is the Test Ordered? This test will help you determine your risk of

developing heart disease. It helps to estimate the level of LDL cholesterol in

your blood. It can also determine if you have inflammation in

your pancreas. In addition, this test can determine if you are at

risk of developing atherosclerosis, which increases your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

TRIGLYCERIDES ESTIMATIONWhen Do You Need to Be Tested? It is recommended that you should have a lipid profile done every

five years as part of your regular medical exam. The lipid profile tests your cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglyceride levels.

If you are being treated for a high triglyceride level, this test is carried out more frequently in order to allow your healthcare provider to monitor how well the treatment is working.

If you are diabetic, it is important to monitor your triglyceride level regularly since triglycerides will increase when blood sugar is not properly maintained.

Screening for children is recommended if they may be at an increased risk of developing heart disease. This includes children that have a family history of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, or are overweight. High-risk children should be tested first between 2 and 10 years of age. Children under 2 years are too young to be tested.


What Do the Results Mean? The following are the basic categories of

results for triglyceride levels in milligrams per deciliter:

normal fasting: 150 mg/dLborderline high: 150 to 199 mg/dLhigh: 200 to 499 mg/dLvery high: >500 mg/dL

TRIGLYCERIDES ESTIMATIONHypertriglyceridemia is the medical term for

elevated triglycerides in the blood. Fasting levels can vary normally day to day.

Triglycerides vary dramatically when you eat a meal, and can increase five to 10 times higher than fasting levels.

When fasting triglyceride levels are above 1000 mg/dL, there is a risk of developing pancreatitis. Immediate treatment to lower triglycerides should be started as soon as possible.

If triglyceride levels are high, your cholesterol may also be high. This condition is known as hyperlipidemia.


Interpreting Your Results There are many reasons why your triglyceride level

may be high. Some of them are due to lifestyle habits that increase triglyceride levels. These include:

smokinginactivitybeing overweight or obeseincreased alcohol consumptioneating a diet low in protein and high in

carbohydrates

TRIGLYCERIDES ESTIMATIONThere are also medical conditions that can

cause high triglyceride levels, including: cirrhosis in the liverdiabetes, especially if it is not well controlledgenetic factors hyperlipidemiahypothyroidismnephrotic syndrome or kidney diseasepancreatitis


Low triglyceride level may be due to:low-fat diethyperthyroidismmalabsorption syndromemalnutrition

TRIGLYCERIDES ESTIMATIONHow Can I Control My Triglyceride

Levels? Studies have shown that carbohydrates play an

important role in controlling triglyceride level. Diets high in carbohydrates, especially sugar, can increase triglycerides.

Exercise has also been proven to lower triglycerides and increase HDL cholesterol. Even if you do not lose weight, exercise can be beneficial to controlling your triglyceride level.

TRIGLYCERIDES ESTIMATIONThe American Heart Association recommends

changes in lifestyle habits to help treat high triglyceride levels. The changes include:

Reduce the saturated fat, trans fatand cholesterol content of your diet.

Reduce your intake of alcohol.Eat fruits, vegetables and nonfat or low-fat dairy

products most often. Get at least 30 minutes of moderate-

intensityphysical activity on five or more days each week.

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