What Causes High Tryglceride Level?

Posted on Wed, 23 Apr 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 23 Apr 2014 Answered on

Mon, 12 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I was just recently told that I have high Tryglcerides 498, and was started on Lipitor. I eat healthy and have been on a low carb diet for four months and wonder how this could happen?

Answered by Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (54 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Underlying causes /drug & dose Detailed Answer: Dear friend, Welcome to Health Care Magic For an accurate reading, blood samples for a triglyceride test should be taken after a 12-hour period of not eating or drinking. It is high, not ‘very high’ (>500). Triglyceride (TG) can be high, in spite of diet and exercise because it is also manufactured in the liver – and that is determined by heredity – running in the family In addition to being produced by the body, it comes from food we eat. Others include Overweight / Diabetes / Thyroid deficiency / alcohol / over eating / Kidney disease / time of day and recent exercise. It can be part of metabolic syndrome (Elevated blood pressure, sugar, & TG) Medicines may raise -Beta-blockers / Diuretics / Oestrogen or contra-ceptive pills / Steroids / Tamoxifen and so on. Fibrates are often given to supplement or supplant the statins / statin dose may be stepped up..… The treating doctor is better placed to suggest further based on his assessment of the situation. Take care Wishing all well God bless

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar