High triglycerides are a major risk factor for the development of diseases, including heart attack and stroke. In addition, high triglycerides are often a component used to diagnose the presence of metabolic syndrome. Although high triglycerides are not a symptom or cause of diabetes, they are often seen in conjunction with diabetes in the presence of certain cardiovascular, neurological and metabolic diseases.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder caused by either poor insulin production by the pancreas or low insulin sensitivity in tissue and muscle cells. In nondiabetics, muscle and tissue cells respond to insulin be absorbing glucose from the bloodstream to be used as energy. In diabetics, impaired insulin production and insulin resistance results in the accumulation of glucose within the bloodstream. Prolonged exposure to high blood sugars increases the risk of complications, including heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, neuropathies, blindness and foot ulcers.
Insulin Resistance
Type 2 diabetes is characterized by poor insulin sensitivity by muscle and tissue cells. Individuals who respond poorly to insulin are categorized as insulin resistant. Although insulin resistance alone may not lead to a definitive diagnosis of diabetes, it can indicate the presence of pre-diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
Elevated Triglycerides
According to the National Institutes of Health's Adult Treatment Panel 3, or ATPIII, guidelines, optimal triglyceride levels should be kept below 150 mg/dL. Patients who have been diagnosed with high triglycerides are often advised to make lifestyle modifications or take prescription medications to lower their lipid levels. Since diabetes is a metabolic disorder that involves the regulation of blood sugars, elevated triglycerides is neither a symptom nor a cause of diabetes.
Metabolic Syndrome
According to the American Heart Association, high triglycerides and insulin resistance are both common components of a more encompassing disorder called metabolic syndrome. Other signs of metabolic syndrome include obesity, low HDL cholesterol and high blood pressure. Patients who have been diagnosed with metabolic syndrome are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
