What Does High Triglyceride And Low HDL Indicate?

Posted on Fri, 25 Apr 2014

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

Fri, 25 Apr 2014 Answered on

Mon, 12 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I just received a lab report and my Chol was 157, TRIG 271, HDLD 33mg and LDL 69.8 mg. These appear to be not good results. I do take Zocor.

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (3 hours later)

Brief Answer: Following causes to high Triglycerides levels.... Detailed Answer: Hi, The only concerning figure at your lipid panel result is high Trig (271) and low HDL (33). The other cholesterol numbers are fine. You are taking Zocor which is a statin. Usually, statins are good to improve other cholesterol numbers, but not triglycerides. This explains why your triglycerides are high. High triglycerides means that : - your diet is containing too much sugary/fatty foods - you are obese/overweight - you consume alcohol - It might also be hereditary. In other words, you might carry out a condition called congenital hyper-triglyceridemia. However, I should have your previous lipid panel results and want to know if you are having other metabolic problems (diabetes, thyroid, etc.) to run into this conclusion. At last, keep on following healthy lifestyle and diet changes, and your triglycerides numbers will be decreased. Unless, you are having other health problems that should be properly treated. Hope it helped! Do not hesitate to contact me back if you have any other query! Dr.Benard

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

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (22 minutes later)

Dr. Shehu, my tryiglycerides were normal on my last lab test in December. Also I was diagnosed with Gastritis in January and 4 weeks ago, I was diagnosed with Prostatitis. During the search for my abdominal pain, I had an upper GI, abdominal ultrasound, Endoscopy, CT scan, MRI, MRCP, Hida scan, x rays, and an upper GI with follow through, plus at least 4 lab tests. Numerous doctors and plenty of meds. I am a nervous wreck. I have always been in good shape, although a little overweight. One more question, unrelated to the heart. On this particular lab report, The ALT showed a range of 10-40, mine was 42 IU and the AST showed a range of 17-59, mine was 30 IU. It appears the ranges are backwards.

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (13 hours later)

Brief Answer: Everything seems to be within normal ranges... Detailed Answer: Hi, If your previous triglycerides levels were normal and you are a little overweight, that could have interfered and caused high triglycerides. To my opinion, conducting a healthy lifestyle and diet changes can also improve your last triglycerides levels. With regards to liver enzymes, I notice only a slightly elevated ALT with no significance; your AST is within normal ranges too. In other words, they seem ok to me. You can repeat the test after 3 months and see the changes. Meanwhile, during these months should continue healthy lifestyle and diet changes. If they will still be high, then, it might be concluded it is due to: - obesity - Zocor use if other tests for viral hepatitis are negative. All the best! Dr.Benard If it answered to your query at your satisfaction, kindly give your feedback while closing this thread. If you have more questions, I'll welcome them!

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