I have high triglycerides. Can hormonal changes cause it?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 46-year-old woman who just got my blood test results, and my triglycerides are 320 mg/dL. My doctor said it is too high and that I should change my diet. I do not eat a lot of fried food, but I do have a sweet tooth and sometimes skip exercise.

Can stress or hormones raise triglycerides?
I also take birth control pills. Could that be affecting my levels?
I am confused about what foods I should avoid and what is actually safe to eat. Can I manage this naturally without medicines?

Kindly suggest.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Your triglyceride level is moderately high. The possible causes of raised triglycerides include uncontrolled diabetes, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, renal disease, nephrotic syndrome, metabolic syndrome, or hypothyroidism.

Certain medications, like beta-blockers, thiazide diuretics, some antipsychotics, and steroids, can also elevate triglyceride levels.

Birth control pills can also cause hypertriglyceridemia and, hence, need proper medical supervision. Stress is not known to cause lipid disorders.

High triglycerides are not known to alter menstrual cycles, but alterations in menstrual cycles are especially seen during peri menopause period, due to changes in hormones, and alterations in lipid profile, especially triglycerides, are seen.

With high triglyceride levels, a patient is susceptible to various complications, including pancreatitis, coronary artery disease (CAD), and peripheral artery disease (PAD).

While LDL (also known as bad cholesterol) has a direct relationship with CAD and PAD, data also show that patients with elevated triglyceride levels are prone to ischemic heart disease and PAD.

Hypertriglyceridemia is usually asymptomatic, but when levels are extremely high, patients may develop xanthomas. These are lipid accumulations under the skin that appear as bumps. Lipids can also accumulate in your eyes (lipemia retinalis), cause pancreatitis, and increase your susceptibility to ischemic heart disease.

Treatment primarily involves lifestyle modifications such as

Daily walking and exercise.
Weight loss.
Smoking cessation.
Limiting alcohol consumption.
Eating more fruits and vegetables.
Avoid oily and greasy foods.
Incorporating vegetable oils into your diet.
Limiting refined sugars and carbohydrates.
Consuming more fiber.

Since your triglycerides are moderately elevated, you can continue with strict lifestyle modification and repeat your fasting lipid profile after three months, and if needed, you can start with medication for raised triglycerides.

Medications to treat high triglycerides include fibrates such as Gemfibrozil or Fenofibrate. Other options include Niacin, omega-3 fatty acids, and statins as an add-on therapy.

I hope this information is helpful. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need anything else; I would be happy to answer.

Regards.