very (very) high triglyceride level

juliekem

Well-Known Member
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85
Type of diabetes
Other
Treatment type
Insulin
Just had a panicky phone call from my surgery following a blood test this morning. Apparently my triglycerides level has risen to 44.8 (it should be about 1.7.) Anyone else experienced such a high level? I am eating healthily - lots of fresh food and trying to keep the carbs down, losing weight successfully (almost in the overweight category rather than obese now.)
My cholesterol had also risen from 8 (last test) to 12. Don't know my HBA1c yet. Wasn't bothered by cholesterol test result last time since my 99 year old Aunt has always had a cholesterol reading of 7! 12 does seem rather high tho...............
Any comments, experiences anyone?
 

ert

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Messages
2,588
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Type 1
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diabetes
fasting
Just had a panicky phone call from my surgery following a blood test this morning. Apparently my triglycerides level has risen to 44.8 (it should be about 1.7.) Anyone else experienced such a high level? I am eating healthily - lots of fresh food and trying to keep the carbs down, losing weight successfully (almost in the overweight category rather than obese now.)
My cholesterol had also risen from 8 (last test) to 12. Don't know my HBA1c yet. Wasn't bothered by cholesterol test result last time since my 99 year old Aunt has always had a cholesterol reading of 7! 12 does seem rather high tho...............
Any comments, experiences anyone?

Could the issue be with the units used? Is it 44.8 mg/dl which would be 0.51 mmol/L? Which would be normal? The labs' units vary.
 

DCUKMod

Master
Staff Member
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14,298
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
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Diet only
Just had a panicky phone call from my surgery following a blood test this morning. Apparently my triglycerides level has risen to 44.8 (it should be about 1.7.) Anyone else experienced such a high level? I am eating healthily - lots of fresh food and trying to keep the carbs down, losing weight successfully (almost in the overweight category rather than obese now.)
My cholesterol had also risen from 8 (last test) to 12. Don't know my HBA1c yet. Wasn't bothered by cholesterol test result last time since my 99 year old Aunt has always had a cholesterol reading of 7! 12 does seem rather high tho...............
Any comments, experiences anyone?

What were your triglycerides when your total was 8? Some find, when losing weight their lipids go up, before coming back down again, but 44.8 is jolly high if on the same scale.

Before taking any action, I would want a retest, to be sure it wasn't a flukey error.

If it transpires to be correct, then they may want to refer you to a lipidologist to discuss the potential for familial hypercholestorelaemia, which they sometimes tackle slightly differently.
 

AloeSvea

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,051
Type of diabetes
Type 2
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Other
When I first quit sugar, went moderate carb, and walked a lot in the months post diagnosis, and lost a huge amount of weight (about 20-30kg), and was having frequent blood lipid tests - my triglycerides were so high they couldn't measure my LDL cholesterol, apparently. But when I looked up my blood lipid records right now the trigs were still 'only' around 7.0 - I cannot begin to get my head around a 44.0. (Could that really be correct?)

But, if you are losing a lot of weight, ie - fat that has been stored in your cells - it comes out in your bloodstream, and you have a 'blip' high trig reading. As for the rest of the blood lipids - I have very definite super-messed up lipids as part of my diabetes, and am not one of those folks that get beautiful blood lipid readings once they get normal weighted, fit and eat healthily.

But a reading like that - no wonder they called you in a panic! I still can't help but think they mainly called you to get you to have another blood test? To double check that reading. If that figure comes up again, I guess you will be on the path of seeing specialists and getting more involved tests at hospital? Keep us posted on this for sure.
 
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nomoredonuts

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1,848
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Type 2 (in remission!)
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Tablets (oral)
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Current American Presidents.
Mmmmm. I'm thinking re-test. And so should the surgery.
 
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juliekem

Well-Known Member
Messages
85
Type of diabetes
Other
Treatment type
Insulin
They are going to retest in 4 weeks time. In the meantime they have told me to stop taking a diabetes drug (Jardiance or empagliflozin) and see them next week about different diabetes meds. I am slightly worried that I might not make next week.....
 

Bluetit1802

Legend
Messages
25,216
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Diet only
This is what NICE has to say about it.

Lipid measurement and referral
1.3.3 Measure both total and high‑density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol to achieve the best estimate of CVD risk. [2008]

1.3.4 Before starting lipid modification therapy for the primary prevention of CVD, take at least 1 lipid sample to measure a full lipid profile. This should include measurement of total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, non‑HDL cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations. A fasting sample is not needed. [new 2014]
For information about implementing this recommendation, see implementation: getting started.

1.3.5 Use the clinical findings, lipid profile and family history to judge the likelihood of a familial lipid disorder rather than the use of strict lipid cut‑off values alone. [new 2014]

1.3.6 Exclude possible common secondary causes of dyslipidaemia (such as excess alcohol, uncontrolled diabetes, hypothyroidism, liver disease and nephrotic syndrome) before referring for specialist review. [new 2014]

1.3.7 Consider the possibility of familial hypercholesterolaemia and investigate as described in familial hypercholesterolaemia (NICE guideline CG71) if they have:

  • a total cholesterol concentration more than 7.5 mmol/litre and

  • a family history of premature coronary heart disease. [new 2014]
1.3.8 Arrange for specialist assessment of people with a total cholesterol concentration of more than 9.0 mmol/litre or a non‑HDL cholesterol concentration of more than 7.5 mmol/litre even in the absence of a first‑degree family history of premature coronary heart disease. [new 2014]

1.3.9 Refer for urgent specialist review if a person has a triglyceride concentration of more than 20 mmol/litre that is not a result of excess alcohol or poor glycaemic control. [new 2014]

1.3.10 In people with a triglyceride concentration between 10 and 20 mmol/litre:

  • repeat the triglyceride measurement with a fasting test (after an interval of 5 days, but within 2 weeks) and

  • review for potential secondary causes of hyperlipidaemia and

  • seek specialist advice if the triglyceride concentration remains above 10 mmol/litre. [new 2014]
1.3.11 In people with a triglyceride concentration between 4.5 and 9.9 mmol/litre:

  • be aware that the CVD risk may be underestimated by risk assessment tools and

  • optimise the management of other CVD risk factors present and

  • seek specialist advice if non‑HDL cholesterol concentration is more than 7.5 mmol/litre. [new 2014]
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg...d-assessing-cardiovascular-disease-cvd-risk-2


.
 

bulkbiker

BANNED
Messages
19,576
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Just had a panicky phone call from my surgery following a blood test this morning. Apparently my triglycerides level has risen to 44.8 (it should be about 1.7.) Anyone else experienced such a high level? I am eating healthily - lots of fresh food and trying to keep the carbs down, losing weight successfully (almost in the overweight category rather than obese now.)
My cholesterol had also risen from 8 (last test) to 12. Don't know my HBA1c yet. Wasn't bothered by cholesterol test result last time since my 99 year old Aunt has always had a cholesterol reading of 7! 12 does seem rather high tho...............
Any comments, experiences anyone?
Had you fasted for 12-14 hours pre the blood draw?
 
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