My triglycerides are almost 500, but I don't have high cholesterol?

Question

My triglycerides are 490. I don't have high cholesterol......but I've been drinking like a fish. The doc wants to put me on meds, but I thought not drinking was a better idea (2wks no alcohol so far). What should I do? ALSO.....if I am put on meds for high triglycerides, does that mess up my chances of getting health insurance?

Answer 1

Cutting your alcohol consumption is a great first step to reducing high triglycerides. Reducing your intake of refined sugars and carbs will also help. I don't think that being on meds for this will prevent you getting insurance, though your rates may be slightly higher.

I really suggest you check the link below. It links to a page from my website focusing on my disorders and conditions. On this page you will find basic information about triglycerides and links to more in depth information.

http://medilink-healthlink.tripod.com/id8.html

Hope it is useful to you.

Terry

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Assuming that it was a fasting blood test, the_only_solorose is on the right track.
This is indicative of a condition called familial hypertriacylglycerolemia which is;
"elevated production of VLDL associated with glucose intolerance and hyperinsulinemia" (VLDLs are called triglycerides on a blood test, just to maintain confusion)

"frequently associated with type-II non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, obesity, alcoholism or administration of progestational hormones; elevated cholesterol as a result of increased VLDLs"

Giving up the grog is a good start. The annoying thing here is that there is an underlying problem, but the doctor, as many in the profession do, wants to prescribe meds without bothering to determine and rectify the cause. All this does is sentence a patient to a lifetime of medication and fills the coffers of the pharmaceuticals.
Your doctor needs to find and cure the cause, not just mask the effect with drugs. If they won't, report them to their board and find one that will.
Good luck.

Answer 4

high triglycerides and normal cholesterol indicates metabolic syndrome, the precursor to diabetes. Stopping your alcohol intake will lower the triglycerides, but you may have already developed diabetes, you need to have the doctor draw an A1C blood test to determine whether or not you are.

Answer 5

Quaker Oatmeal is supposed to help lower cholesterol as well as eating whole grain foods.