Triglyceride level 1100+; lovaza safe to take?
Triclyceride level is 1100+; my doctor has prescribed Lovaza; no family history of these high levels in parents or grandparents; 2 brothers now have high levels but not this high. I don't know whether to take this medication as I do not care for the side effects that I read this medication can cause. Is this a safe medication?
Hello Rita M,
That is a high triglyveride level!
Even with a normal LDL cholesterol level, high triglycerides put you at risk of heart disease
Having such a high triglyceride level is also concerning because it puts you at a much greater risk of getting pancreatitis, which is a very painful inflamation of your pancreas. The pain of pancreatitis is located at the center of your abdomen, right above your umbilicus (belly button). You also get fairly severe nausea and vomiting with the disease. And pancreatitis can have long-lasting complications, like pancreatic pseudocysts among others, which can take a long time to resolve.
You can help your triglyceride levels by eating a low-fat diet, and by eating foods high in dietary fiber, especially green, leafy vegetables. Stay away from alcohol because it, too, can increase your risk of pancreatitis (and cause an increase in triglycerides).
Remember, too, that the side effects of medications listed are any health problem that occured during a study period of the drug, even if it is not actually caused by the drug. So oftentimes, the side effects listed are much, much worse that common occur in people taking them.
Be sure to discuss with your doctor if you are hesitant to take the drugs prescribed.
To your health,
Neil MD
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