Daily Medical Advices

Name and Type of Test

Triglycerides are fats, or more lipids, the body needs for the formation of structures essential for cells and therefore travel through the bloodstream. Considered a great reservoir of energy for our body. As with cholesterol, the liver is the main factory of triglycerides in our body. It is not often isolated elevation of triglycerides without alteration of other lipids such as cholesterol, but there are familial diseases and dietary changes that can condition an increase in their normal numbers will cause hypertriglyceridemia, with the consequent emergence of pathologies associated with its increase in blood.

The increase in blood triglyceride levels may result in the presentation of pancreatitis, increased cardiovascular risk for atheroma and skin and eye disorders.

The determination of triglyceride levels is determined by a routine blood test.

What is?

The determination of plasma levels of triglycerides is important to know the occurrence of atherogenic risk or what is the same, to prevent the occurrence of cardiovascular disease among others. This parameter helps in combination with the determination of other lipids such as cholesterol to get an idea of progression of atherosclerosis in arteries.

Furthermore, knowledge tells us about possible alterations of lipid metabolism in familial and may therefore transmitted to and the clinical consequences that this entails. We also prevents the onset of disease, if it is high, such as acute pancreatitis or xanthomas or accumulations of fat in certain areas of the skin. Diseases such as diabetes mellitus may condition an increase in triglycerides as well as the intake of certain drugs such as oral contraceptives, heavy alcohol consumption, and so on.

It is therefore an important predictor of disease so that their knowledge is necessary when practicing what is known as Preventive Medicine.

When should be

As in almost all diagnostic tests should be your primary care physician to determine the need and time to do them, but serve as a council that could benefit the entire adult population had completed at least control their numbers of lipids at least every 5 years.

Depending on the condition you have, for example diabetes mellitus, or drugs that are taken, eg oral contraceptives, or the additional risk that is taken to present cardiovascular disease, your doctor will advise its determination with varying frequency . Maybe even every 6 months, although it is normal to do this every year or every 2 years.

In children, unless any known pathology or medical condition so warrants did not require this analysis.

Nevertheless it is true that when doctors performed a general analysis for anything else, we also ask the determination of triglycerides and thus know their status.

Factors affecting results

In any general blood test, candidates must apply without special preparation, fasting, and without fear. It is true that some councils should look like:

• No change of diet in the days or weeks before the analysis
• No weight changes have happened recently or diseases that have caused prolonged bed rest
• Do not take medicines beyond the control of its medical
• Do not abuse alcohol in previous days.

Finally, make a completely normal life.

Results

The normal rates of blood triglycerides are below 200 mg / dl. Are considered moderately high values of 200 to 400 mg / dl and pathological values and above these values. Values above 600 – 800 Increase the risk of acute pancreatitis.

Depending on the association of other diseases or risk factors should be added will be somewhat lower levels of the proposed but subject to taking under 200 no health problems triglycerides.

Advice to patients

As has been said before, should be recommended to the entire adult population to determine the levels of blood lipids, specifically triglycerides, to estimate the potential risk of disease.

Your GP’s who should test and evaluate its outcome not only in terms of the numbers to be determined but the association of other factors such as food, medical