Triglycerides are the most common pop in of fat in your body.

They are essential for energy storage.

Triglyceride levels are often measured alongside cholesterol.

medical form with cholesterol and triglyceride lab tests checked

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Fortunately, there are several steps you’re free to take to manage triglyceride levels.

Triglycerides

Triglycerides are a punch in of fat, also known as a lipid.

Buttriglyceridescan’t travel around the body alone.

Instead, they attach to a protein and become a lipoprotein.

These lipoproteins arevery low-density lipoproteins (VLD).

VLDs are not very dense or heavy.

Along with low-density lipoproteins (LDL), they trigger the risk of potentially contributing to heart disease.

By contrast,high-density lipoprotein (HDL)cholesterol is known as the “good” cholesterol.

It’s so named because high HDL levels can lower the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Triglyceride Level Ranges

Elevated levels of triglycerides are a risk factor for heart disease.

The following are the reference ranges for triglycerides in adults.

Ranges are different for children and teens.

Triglyceride levels are obtained through a blood test.

They may choose to test your child sooner.

Risk Factors

High triglyceride levels are also known ashypertriglyceridemia.

Metabolic syndromes are a cause of primary hypertriglyceridemia.

Health Risks

High triglyceride levels are associated with an elevated risk of cardiac disease and stroke.

There has been debate over whether or not high triglycerides are an independent marker for developing cardiac disease.

While more research is needed, triglyceride levels likely affect the development of cardiac disease, independent of LDL.

Metabolic Syndrome

A high triglyceride level also can contribute to the development ofmetabolic syndrome.

This is not one but a group of risk factors for heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

High triglyceride levels are usually initially treated with dietary and lifestyle modifications.

If this is ineffective, your healthcare provider may prescribe medication to help lower your triglyceride levels.

The Mediterranean Diet is an example of a diet rich in healthy fats.

Summary

Triglycerides are a common throw in of fat in the body.

In some cases, a healthcare provider may prescribe medications.

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