The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) guidelines for detection of high cholesterol, endorsed by the American Heart Association, recommend that starting at age 20, you should have a fasting lipoprotein profile, a cholesterol test, every five years. This is a blood test, ideally performed by your regular doctor, who is well acquainted with your family history and lifestyle, and is performed after nine to 12 hours of fasting. A fasting lipoprotein profile will give you your triglyceride level, along with your cholesterol levels.
Triglycerides
Fat in your body and in the food you eat typically exists in the chemical form referred to as triglycerides. Triglycerides are found in your blood plasma, which is what is measured during a lipoprotein panel. Along with cholesterol, triglycerides form the plasma lipids, which is a type of fat, in your blood. When you eat, your body takes the calories that it does not need immediately, and converts them to triglycerides and stores them in your fat cells. Your hormones regulate the release of these triglycerides to give you energy in between meals.
Triglyceride Levels
A triglyceride level of less than 150 mg/dL is considered normal. A level between 150 to 199 mg/dL is borderline-high, a level between 200 to 400 mg/dL is high and any level above 500 mg/dL is considered very high. Therefore, a triglyceride level of 600 mg/dL and above puts you in the very high category of triglyceride levels.
High Triglyceride Risks
Hypertriglyceridemia refers to excess triglycerides in the plasma. High triglycerides have been linked to coronary artery disease, and may play a role in the thickening of the artery walls and hardening of the arteries, though it has not been established how they do this. Often, high triglycerides indicate other health conditions, including metabolic syndrome and obesity, which are risk factors for heart attack and stroke, as well as liver or kidney disease, hypothyroidism, type 2 diabetes, and genetic conditions that affect how your body gets energy from fat.
Lowering your Triglycerides
To lower your triglyceride level, try to reach and maintain a healthy weight by cutting down on calories, and exercise regularly. Lower your intake of high-glycemic-index carbohydrates, for example white pasta, white bread and sugar. Limit the cholesterol in your diet and focus on healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats found in oils such as olive oil and omega-3s found in fish such as salmon and mackerel. Cut down on saturated fats, found in meats and butter, and avoid trans fats, which are found in commercially prepared baked goods and fried foods. Limit alcohol intake, as even small amounts of consumed alcohol affect your triglyceride level.
