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Triglycerides are a fat-like substance in the blood the body uses for energy. The body needs some triglycerides but too much of them can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, pancreatitis, and other health problems.
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps the body absorb dietary calcium and phosphorus from the intestines and suppresses the release of parathyroid hormone, a hormone that causes bone resorption. This serves to keep the bones healthy. Vitamin D is also believed to improve muscle and immune function.
29 Causes of High Triglycerides
Low levels of vitamin D (vitamin D deficiency) are one cause of high triglycerides.
Other causes of high triglycerides include:
- Medical conditions
- Overweight/obesity
- Poorly controlled diabetes
- Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Pregnancy
- Certain chronic inflammatory conditions
- Untreated gum disease (periodontitis)
- Rare genetic disorders
- Familial chylomicronemia
- Familial dysbetalipoproteinemia
- Primary mixed hyperlipidemia
- Lifestyle habits
- Certain medications
- Antiretrovirals
- Beta-blockers
- Birth control pills
- Diuretics (water pills)
- Estrogen
- Retinoids
- Some antipsychotics
- Steroids
- Tamoxifen
High triglycerides can also have a genetic cause and run in families.
What Are Symptoms of 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.
How Are High Triglycerides Diagnosed?
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.
Range | mg/dL |
---|---|
Normal | Less than 150 mg/dL |
Borderline high | 150-199 mg/dL |
High | 200-499 mg/dL |
Very high | 500 mg/dL or greater |
How to Lower High Triglycerides
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
- 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:
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
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