Triglycerides are a type of fat stored in your blood. When you eat, the extra calories, sugar, and alcohol (if applicable) that your body doesn’t need right away are converted into triglycerides and stored in fat cells. Triglycerides are released when you need energy.
A diet high in fat and sugar, combined with alcohol overuse, can lead to high triglyceride levels. This is especially true if you consume more calories than your body burns through activity.
- family history of high cholesterol
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- thyroid disease
- diabetes
- overweight and obesity
Glucose, or blood sugar, is the main sugar found in your blood and provides energy. Your body breaks it down for immediate use, and the rest is converted into triglycerides.
When your blood glucose goes up, your pancreas releases insulin, a hormone that helps the glucose get into your cells to be used for energy. High blood glucose levels lead to high triglyceride levels.
High triglyceride levels (known as hypertriglyceridemia) increase your risk of numerous serious conditions, including diabetes.
The connection between high triglycerides and elevated blood glucose is firmly established.
According to a 2018 study of more than 20,100 participants in China, high triglyceride levels were strongly associated with inadequate blood glucose management. Researchers suggested that lowering triglyceride levels may effectively manage high blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
An ideal way to lower triglycerides and blood glucose levels is through certain lifestyle measures. These include doing regular exercise, managing your weight if you’re overweight, as well as following a balanced diet that’s low in carbs. You may also want to consider:
- limiting sweets and highly processed breads with added sugars
- decreasing alcohol consumption, if you drink
- limiting foods high in saturated fats
- avoiding eating just before bed
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If your triglycerides are very high, a doctor may prescribe medications or recommend vitamin supplementation, such as:
- statins, such as rosuvastatin calcium (Crestor) and atorvastatin calcium (Lipitor)
- fibrates, such as gemfibrozil (Lopid) and fenofibrate (Tricor, Fenoglide)
- cholesterol absorption inhibitors
- PCSK9 inhibitors
- omega-3 fatty acids
- vitamin B3 (niacin)
A lipid panel measures triglyceride levels. This blood test is taken after you’ve fasted for several hours (sometimes overnight) and also measures your cholesterol. The results are broken down into
- normal: less than 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
- borderline high: 150 to 199 mg/dL
- high: 200 to 499 mg/dL
- very high: 500 mg/dL or above
Blood glucose is also tested with a blood draw from a vein, which in some cases may also require fasting. Results vary depending on the type of test you take and the time of day it’s taken.
Triglycerides and blood glucose levels are closely linked. If either levels are elevated, you could be at risk of various serious medical conditions, including diabetes and heart disease.
High triglyceride levels usually do not cause any symptoms and are detected in a routine blood test. If you’re concerned about your risk of a condition like diabetes, speak with a doctor. A doctor will likely recommend diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes first. If those are not effective, they may prescribe a medication.