TRIGLYCERIDE LEVEL ABOVE 150
Description and Possible Medical Problems
The triglyceride level is nothing more than the amount of fat that is found in the bloodstream. A test to determine your triglyceride level will be included as part of a cholesterol test; triglycerides alone pose very little risk to your health. I feel the value should be 150 or less. Currently, there is a lot of controversy in the medical establishment over whether an elevated triglyceride level alone increases the risk of heart disease. Even though I believe that for good health the triglyceride level should be at 150 or less, an elevated triglyceride level will be treated only if it is extremely high, in excess of 800 milligrams/100cc, which is an indication of a pancreatic problem or advancing arteriosclerosis. Elevated triglycerides are often caused by heredity, but, like the HDL and LDL cholesterol levels, more often than not they’re a result of a high-fat diet, uncontrolled diabetes, and heavy smoking—particularly in women.
The primary treatment for a high triglyceride level is medication, but again, only if the level is above 800. Your doctor will also prescribe a low-fat diet and moderate exercise program for you to follow. However, an underlying condition, such as diabetes, must also be treated in order to bring the triglycerides down to a normal level. I’ve found that in some rare cases a triglyceride level above 200 is caused by taking a medication such as Accutane, which is used to treat acne. In this case, discontinuing the medication will lower the triglyceride level to its previous state.
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