Can Low Vitamin D Cause High Triglycerides?

High triglyceride levels usually don’t cause symptoms.

When high triglycerides are caused by a genetic condition, fatty deposits under the skin (xanthomas) may occur. 

Very high triglyceride levels (above 1000 mg/dL) may cause pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), which can result in severe constant pain in the upper part of the abdomen.

High triglycerides are diagnosed with a blood test called a lipid panel that measures total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in the blood. 

Triglyceride level ranges are listed in the table below.

Triglycerides may be lowered in some cases by making lifestyle changes, such as: 

• Losing weight if you are overweight
• Getting regular exercise
• Increasing fiber in the diet
• Adding more omega-3 fatty acids to the diet
• Limiting or avoiding alcohol 
• Avoiding foods and drinks high in sugar and carbohydrates 
• Avoiding red meat, fried foods, cheese, butter, oils, and nuts, especially in patients who have triglycerides over 500
• Managing diabetes 

Treatment for vitamin D deficiency includes:

• Vitamin D supplements
  • Ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) 
  • Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) - vitamin D3 is usually recommended because it is the naturally occurring form of the vitamin and it may raise vitamin D levels more effectively
  • The recommended dose of vitamin D depends upon the nature and severity of the vitamin D deficiency
• Additional supplements
  • Calcium — 1000 mg of calcium per day for premenopausal women and men and 1200 mg per day for postmenopausal women

Foods that are good sources of vitamin D include:

• Seafood
  • Salmon
  • Sardines
  • Trout
  • Tuna
• Meat and poultry
  • Beef liver
  • Chicken breast
  • Ground beef
• Vegetables
  • Mushrooms — white and portabella
• Dairy products
  • Milk, vitamin D fortified
  • Cheese
• Other
  • Cod liver oil
  • Eggs
  • Plant-based milks (e.g., soy, almond, oat) that are vitamin D fortified
  • Ready-to-eat cereals that are vitamin D fortified

Exposure to sunlight is also another source for vitamin D but too much sun exposure can lead to sunburns, premature skin aging, eye damage, heat exhaustion or heat stroke, or skin cancer. Talk to your doctor about how much sun exposure you may need and how to get exposure safely. 

Medications used to treat high triglycerides include:

• Medicines used to lower triglyceride levels 
  • Fibrates
    • Fenofibrate (Antara, Fenoglide, Tricor)
    • Gemfibrozil (Lopid)
  • Nicotinic acid (Niacor, Niaspan)
  • Fish oil (Lovaza)
• HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (“statins”)