my husbands triglyceride level

[kimode]

undefinedundefinedundefinedMy husband is 42. He has gained 25 pounds in 15 months and is now 148 lbs. He just had his first physical in 5 years. His doctor said his triglyceride level is severly high at 464. Mentioned something about his pancreas. He was put on tricor. What does this mean? is it cholesterol or the beginning of diabetes? He has always eaten whatever he wants and now is told to go on a low carb diet, which i thought was to lose weight. Can anyone explain this to me?? I am very scared and not sure if I should be.
By the way, I am new to the board and enjoying what I see so far.
Kim

[Sunlover]

High triglycerides could mean coronary artery disease or undetected diabetes - however I'm sure they would know if he had diabetis from a urine sample or other tests that he had done. If it's coronary, eating less fats would lessen the chances of a clogged artery. Is that the ONLY test he was high in? Did he fast before the test??
If there wasn't at least 9-12 hours of fasting, the test could be off and he should go again.

[Marie55]

After I was diagnosed with diabetes I stopped eating starch and sweet foods. My triglycrides dropped way down. Your husband's tris will drop too if he limits starches and sweets. A good healthy meal can be a combination of non-starch veggies and lean meat in moderate portions. He can get calories needed from non-starch foods.

Toss out the junk foods, fast foods, etc. potaotes, bread, spaghetti, pies, cakes, cookies, sugar in foods and drinks.

[Uff-Da!]

Eating too many carbs, like sweets and other junk food, can raise anyone's triglyceride levels above the desireable range, whether or not they are diabetic. Your husband's, though, were really very high, so it is possible he is at a pre-diabetic stage or he just didn't fast long enough to make the test accurate. Another test (make sure he has not cheated on the fast) after he has been on a low carb diet for a while should help the doctor and you sort out what really is going on.

[CobaltBlue]

Originally Posted by Uff-Da!

Eating too many carbs, like sweets and other junk food, can raise anyone's triglyceride levels above the desireable range, whether or not they are diabetic. Your husband's, though, were really very high, so it is possible he is at a pre-diabetic stage or he just didn't fast long enough to make the test accurate. Another test (make sure he has not cheated on the fast) after he has been on a low carb diet for a while should help the doctor and you sort out what really is going on.

Just want to add to what Sunlover, Uff-Da and Marie wrote and point out the a high TG reading is sometimes diet and often lifestyle. Weight gain increases something called very low density lipoprotein, and this in turn will increase the plasma triglycerides. Often, elevated TG indicate a predisposition towards coronary artery disease (as Sunlover noted), or diabetes... One method to lower the triglyceride level is by diet, but also, by losing weight and exercising. I once had over 600 mg/dL triglycerides and now my measured values are between 35-50 mg/dL. The difference was weight loss and daily high intensity exercise. I am diabetic, yet my response is as good, if not better than many non-diabetics. I can eat desserts, if I choose to, and never get a high sugar reading. The importance of exercise for a diabetic is paramount, and unfortunately, so many that could help themselves don't. It's up to the individual.

Unfortunately, there was no one that could have made me change my ways before--it had to come from me. I wish you success, but I feel like it will have to come from your husband if any steps will be taken.