what do you do if ldl and hdl is good and triglycerides are high?

QUESTION: What do you do if ldl and hdl is good and triglycerides are high? Should go for drugs?


ANSWER: Hi,

If your HDL and LDL cholesterol levels are good, but your triglycerides are high, then, the problems is in your menu (what you eat).

As triglycerides (TG) usually reflects what you eat, therefore, you should start changing your menu.

Take off fatty foods (especially those high in saturated and trans fats) and high carb ones (sugary foods). They are the worst enemies for those who have high triglycerides levels.

The way you behave plays also an important role in increasing triglycerides levels. So, if you smoke, drink alcohol, conduct a sedentary life, etc; all these will negatively affect TG.

Therefore, you should turn them for good to get your lipid profile readings back to normal again.

When it comes to familial hypertriglyceridaemia, all the above-mentioned lifestyle and dietary changes are applicable. However, your doctor will think to start the drug therapy depending on your health conditions and triglyceride levels.

In other cases, if you do follow the first natural lifestyle changes, then, it shouldn't be any need to start drug therapy. However, your doctor will judge it better.

All the best!

Dr.Alba