what would cause a triglyceride reading of 997?

Answer 1

997 is definitely high and abnormal. It should never routinely be this high.

Elevated TG's most likely indicates you might have undiagnosed diabetes. You will most likely need to adjust your diet and cut down on grain and sugars.

If you drink, it may also be related to alcohol or alcohol-associated pancreatitis. I figure you're not having abdominal pain right now though, so I think pancreatitis is probably not the case. Another potential cause could be hereditary.

You should probably have your cholesterol panel checked as well. Given that your triglycerides (TG's) are high, you are likely to have elevated cholesterol levels also.

Most likely you will be put on some anti-hyperlipidemia (elevated cholesterol) medication since you have such a high TG number. Again, most likely you will also have elevated cholesterol, and the cholesterol medications ("statins" like Zocor, Lipitor, Crestor) lower cholesterol as well as triglycerides. In the more unlikely event only your TG's are elevated, you may be prescribed gemfibrozil (brand name Lopid) or something like it in the "fibric acid" drug class, or even Tricor as another poster has suggested.

Moreover, the doc may ask you to exercise, if you can tolerate it, for 30 minutes at least 3 times a week. This should help with your diabetes, if indeed you have that as well (which again seems likely).

Please see your doctor though. You are at an increased risk for strokes and other cardiovascular disorders and these need to be addressed by your doctor, and will require your cooperation.

Best of luck.

Answer 2

Triglycerides are companions to cholesterol. They're fats. Think of cholesterol as a wax. Cholesterol plays a greater role in clogging arteries, but triglycerides add to the blockage. A normal blood triglyceride reading should be less than 150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L). A value between 150 to 199 (1.7 to 2.6) is said to be borderline high.
Weight loss lowers the triglyceride level. A grain, vegetable and fruit diet promotes weight loss and limits the amount of triglycerides you get from food. In addition to decreasing the amount of fat you eat, you should lower the amount of sugar you use. It raises triglycerides. So does alcohol. Exercise brings the triglyceride reading down. Thirty minutes of brisk walking every day ought to cause a dip in your triglycerides.
Very high triglycerides levels — values of 1,000 (11.3) or more — can inflame the pancreas (pancreatitis) and must be lowered as quickly as possible.
If diet, exercise and weight loss don't get the job done, medicines can usually do so. Omacor is a new one. Niacin, Tricor and Lopid have been around longer and have been used successfully.
As an afterthought, were you fasting when you had your blood tested? You have to fast for 12 to 14 hours to get a valid triglyceride reading

Answer 3

French fries cause very high triglycerides. Try taking 1000 - 2000 milligrams of flush free Niacin nightly.

Answer 4

genetic hyperlipidemia can also cause hi triglyceride counts, as well as Diabetes.
The medication Tricor is often effective in lowering triglyceride levels.

Answer 5

holy crap. that is included in a lipid panel and i don't know if you are a man or a woman. a mans normal range is 40 to 170 and a womans normal range is 35 to 135. so you need to get your happy hiney to a doc and get some medications

Answer 6

Ask your doctor.