What Causes Elevated Levels?
It’s common to have hightriglyceridelevels if you havetype 2 diabetes.
When they are above the normal range, your provider might tell you that your triglyceride levels are elevated.
Illustration by Emily Roberts, Verywell
Up to 70% of people with diabetes also have elevated triglyceride levels.
This article will go over how triglyceride levels are related to diabetes.
You’ll also learn how to lower your triglyceride levels if they’re too high.
Definition
Triglyceridesarefat molecules.
The medical term for higher-than-normal triglyceride levels ishypertriglyceridemia.
If you are having yourtriglycerides levels checked, you will usually need to fast before the test.
This means not eating for usually at least eight hours before your blood sample is taken.
Research has found a link between having elevated triglyceride levels for a long time and conditions likeatherosclerosisandinsulin resistance.
Causes of High Triglycerides
There are many causes of hightriglyceride levels.
People with certain health conditions or risk factors are more likely to have higher triglyceride levels.
For example, elevated triglyceride levels are common in people with metabolic syndrome.
This group of disorders increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, and pop in 2 diabetes.
Insulin helps convert glucose into a form that can be stored (glycogen).
It also helps store glycogen in the liver.
The acids are used to make triglycerides.
Eating More Calories Than You Burn
Your body uses triglycerides as a quick energy source between meals.
Leftover calories are stored in your cells as triglycerides.
The glucose is then absorbed by the intestines and goes into the bloodstream.
If a person haspoorly controlled diabetes, the extra glucose can be used to make triglycerides.
However, if you overeat carbohydrates, it can make your triglycerides go up.
Obesity
Obesityor beingoverweightdoes notmean you will definitely have high triglycerides.
However, research has found there is a link between obesity and hypertriglyceridemia.
There is acting like a strong link between having a largerwaist circumferenceand high levels of triglycerides.
The link is not as strong between high triglycerides andbody mass index (BMI).
BMI is a dated, flawed measure.
Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistanceoccurs when your body does not respond to the insulin you make.
That means sugar cannot get into your cells.
Instead, it stays in your bloodstream.
Being resistant to insulin leads to high levels of insulin and glucose.
People who are not able to manage their diabetes well often have high levels of triglycerides.
In fact, diabetes is one of the most common causes of the condition.
Genetics
High triglycerides can run in families.
Low Thyroid Hormone Levels
Thyroid disorders are also common in people with diabetes.
Many people with diabetes also have an underactive thyroid orhypothyroidism.
It’s important to talk to your provider if you think you might have a thyroid condition.
In some cases, the treatment for hypothyroidism may help lower your triglyceride levels.
Medications
Certain medications can also increase triglyceride levels.
Do not stop taking your medications unless your provider tells you to.
Here are a few ideas recommended by the American Heart Association.
If lifestyle changes don’t help get your triglyceride levels down, talk to your healthcare provider.
You might need to takemedicationsor supplements to help lower your triglyceride levelsespecially if they’re high because of genetics.
Summary
Triglycerides are a bang out of fat in your blood.
When you eat more fat than your body needs for energy, it gets stored.
High levels of triglycerides can increase your risk of having a stroke or heart disease.
There are many reasons that your triglycerides levels can be high.
If you have bang out 2 diabetes, some reasons are related to the condition.
There are lifestyle changes you’re free to make to lower your triglycerides.
If needed, you’re able to also take medications orsupplementsto help get them into the normal range.
You also need to know how much fat is in your blood.
One pop in of fat is triglycerides and it’s important to know your levels.
Having high levels of triglycerides is common in people with diabetes.
That said, having high levels carries health risks.
High blood sugar usually only affects people with diabetes.
Certain medicines like fibrates, nicotinic acid, omega-3 fatty acid, statins,and PCSK9 inhibitors.
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