High Triglycerides: Cause

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Cause

The most common causes of high triglycerides are obesity and poorly controlled diabetes. If you are overweight and are not active, you may have high triglycerides, especially if you eat a lot of carbohydrate or sugary foods or drink a lot of alcohol. Binge drinking (of alcohol) can cause dangerous spikes in triglyceride levels that can trigger inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).

Other causes of high triglycerides include hypothyroidism, kidney disease, and certain inherited lipid disorders.

Estrogen replacement therapy, which may be used for menopause symptoms, may also raise triglyceride levels. Certain medicines may also raise triglycerides. These medicines include:

• Tamoxifen.
• Steroids.
• Beta-blockers.
• Diuretics.
• Birth control pills.

High triglycerides rarely occur on their own. They are usually associated with other conditions.

High triglycerides are a part of metabolic syndrome, a group of medical problems that increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, and diabetes. Metabolic syndrome includes:

• High triglycerides.
• Low HDL ("good") cholesterol.
• High blood pressure.
• High blood sugar.
• Too much fat, especially around the waist.

Last updated:	July 12, 2007
Author:	Robin Parks, MS
Reviewed By:	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine, Neil J. Stone, MD, FACC, FACP - Internal Medicine, Cardiology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Michele Cronen