You may have heard people talking about triglycerides, or your doctor may have even said that you have borderline or high triglycerides at your last appointment—but what causes high triglycerides? You should always consult your doctor for more detailed answers specific to you, but we've got some general causes of high triglycerides here.
What Are Triglycerides?
A triglyceride is a type of molecule that consists of glycerol and three fatty acids. Found in the blood, they enable fat and glucose movement from the liver. Nonetheless, if you have too many triglycerides, this can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
What Can Cause High Triglycerides?
The causes of high triglycerides1, 2, 3 are manifold and complex, but common triggers include:
- Overeating
- Smoking
- Certain types of liver and kidney disease
- Diabetes
- Hypothyroidism
- Certain genetic disorders
- Common pills
If you haven't already, then you should quit smoking, limit drinking, and examine the amount of fat and sugar in your diet. If you need to lose weight, make it a point to do so. Although some causes of high triglycerides require medication to control, your doctor will probably ask you to try these tried and true methods of lowering triglycerides as well. Your body will thank you, no matter what.
Habits and Conditions
Obesity, overeating (taking in more calories than you expend), and excessive alcohol consumption can all cause high triglycerides. You can change your diet, exercise, and drinking habits to control triglyceride levels, but other conditions may require more medical expertise. Undiagnosed or mismanaged diabetes can cause high triglycerides, as well as hypothyroidism and kidney disease.
What are the Symptoms of High Triglycerides?
Having high triglycerides can lead to a variety of different health complications. Common risks include:
- Heart attack
- Pancreatitis
- Stroke
- Peripheral artery disease
- Coronary artery disease
- Metabolic syndrome
High Cholesterol and Triglycerides
Both cholesterol and triglycerides are lipids (fats) that circulate in the blood. Cholesterol is found in your blood and in food and helps to build cells. Too much cholesterol can build up inside your arteries and restrict your blood flow. Cholesterol might be different from triglycerides, but many of the same methods can be used to restrict both of these lipids from growing in your body.
What is the Normal Range by Age?
The average adult over 18 has a triglyceride level of under 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), while young people between 10 and 19 usually have a number below 90 mg/dL. High levels are categorized into three categories: mild (150–199 mg/dL); moderate (200–499 mg/dL); and severe (over 500 mg/dL).4
Can Supplements Cause High Triglycerides?
Supplements are not particularly known to cause high triglycerides. Nonetheless, some surprisingly common medications like estrogen, diuretics, steroids, beta-blockers, the Pill, and tamoxifen can all cause high triglycerides. If you suspect these are the causes of your high triglycerides, you should talk with your doctor about possible alternatives.
References
1.Karanchi H, Muppidi V, Wyne K. Hypertriglyceridemia. [Updated 2023 Aug 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-.2. Packard CJ, Boren J, Taskinen MR. Causes and Consequences of Hypertriglyceridemia. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2020;11:252.
3. Parhofer KG, Laufs U. The Diagnosis and Treatment of Hypertriglyceridemia. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2019;116(49):825-832.
4. How to Read Cholesterol Numbers. WebMD. Published May 13, 2024. https://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/understanding-numbers
*THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THESE PRODUCTS ARE NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE, OR PREVENT DISEASE.