I was just told by my Dr. on the phone that my triglycerides are 877. What can I do to lower them?

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Hello rtipple,

Having a high triglyceride level is 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). Also, exercising for 30-40 minutes for 4 days a week can positively impact your levels.

If you cannot get your numbers lower through the above, your physician will likely to you about going on a medication like gemfibrozil or fenofibrate.  Also, niacin, which is a vitamin, comes in a prescription strength formulation and can also be taken to lower triglyceride numbers.

As always, you should make an appointment with your physician to discuss which of these suggestions are best for your health.

To your health,

Neil MD

And yes, it true that a high triglyceride levels makes calculating your LDL-cholesterol lever incorrect.

Hi Rtippie,

I just want to add a couple additional tips to lower your triglycerides.

Sugar and alcohol (as already mentioned) have the greatest impact on triglyceride levels.  If you drink alcohol, I recommend eliminating it until you can control of your triglycerides (you may need to permanently restrict your intake).  As far as sugars, simple sugars, such as soft drinks, candy, and baked goods, will elevate triglycerides. 

Also, adding physical activity to your daily routine for 30 minutes 3 or more days each week can reduce triglyceride levels by up to 40%.  If you are sedentary, check with your MD before starting an exercise program. 

You'll find more information on how to lower triglycerides in this article -

Triglycerides: Why the matter and how to lower them

All the best,

Lisa Nelson, RD, LN

Tips to Lower Cholesterol