High triglycerides but normal cholesterol

[StephF626]

Has anyone had their triglyceride level come back high but had normal HCL and LDL results?  I just got my lipid panel back.  Triglycerides are 181 (optimal less than 149); HDL is 85 (optimal above 50) and LDL is 79 (optimal below 129).  My cholesterol ratio is great at 2.4 (optimal below 4.4).  

As some background, I’m a former marathoner recovering from hip surgery this summer.  I have eaten a high carb diet for years based on my exercise level and do have a sweet tooth, but I always exercised so much I never thought much about it.  I rarely eat out, don’t eat fast food, and don’t drink alcohol.  I’m 5’4” and 117 so even though I’ve been injured and not running for many months now, I’ve stayed biking and have watched what I eat.  Can a high carb diet alone elevate triglycerides?  I really don’t know what to change here!  Just wondering if anyone else has had this experience.  Thanks!

[Sara_MHModerator]

Hello and welcome to the forum.  Thanks for your question as it is excellent!  I'm glad your other numbers were good in your lipid profile but sorry to hear your triglycerides were high.  Please do work with your doctor to work on decreasing that number.  A diet high in cars can cause increased triglycerides. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11584104/  It can raise triglycerides by as much as 30 to 40%  Ask your doctor, but backing off the high carb diet would likely help you reverse this number.  https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/13-ways-to-lower-triglycerides  Let us know what you think and how this goes.