Doctor Listening to Patient's Heart

Causes of sHTG?

The causes of sHTG can differ from one person to another. And more than one cause may contribute to sHTG. These include:

Diet and lifestyle causes¹

A high-calorie diet that is high in fat, sugar, and simple carbohydrates (such as starch)
Excessive consumption of sugared beverages, such as soda, juice, and sports drinks
Use of alcohol
Lack of physical activity

Medical condition causes^1,3,11

Metabolic Conditions

Poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus
Insulin resistance
Metabolic syndrome
Being overweight or obese
Glycogen storage disease

Endocrine & Hormonal Conditions

Hypothyroidism
Pregnancy
Cushing syndrome
Lipodystrophy

Inflammatory & Autoimmune Conditions

Rheumatoid arthritis
Lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus)
HIV

Liver & Kidney Disorders

Kidney / renal disease
Nephrotic syndrome
Acute hepatitis

Medications causes^1,3,11

Some medications may increase triglyceride levels. Before making changes to medications, talk to your doctor or healthcare team. They can review what you take and make recommendations.

Common medications that may increase triglyceride levels include:

Some water pills (thiazide diuretics)
Beta-blockers
Estrogen (birth control pills, hormone therapy)
Isotretinoin for acne
Corticosteroids for conditions such as asthma and arthritis
Bile acid sequestrants
Protease inhibitors for HIV
Some immune suppressants (such as sirolimus)
Some antipsychotics (mental health medications)

Genetics causes

You inherit genes made of DNA from your biological parents. These genes give instructions to your cells for making proteins.⁴¹

Since many proteins influence how the body makes, transports, and stores triglycerides, variations in genes affect these proteins, causing elevated triglyceride levels in the blood.¹

In many people with sHTG, genetics may partly explain why they have high triglyceride levels. But even if your genes put you at high risk for sHTG, changes in diet, lifestyle, medications, and medical conditions may help to keep triglyceride levels low.¹

Learn how sHTG is diagnosed >

Show References

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