why would a child have high triglycerides

When elevated triglycerides

are found in children and there is no medical cause such as disease or illness, it is important that lifestyle factors be evaluated as it is likely that these are the cause. Children who are less active, overweight or engage in poor dietary choices may be more likely to have higher triglycerides.

Full Answer

What causes high triglycerides in children?

What are the causes of Hypertriglyceridemia?

• Overweight and Obesity
• Uncontrolled Diabetes mellitus- type 1 or type 2
• Lipodystrophy
• Hypothyroidism
• Medications (oral contraceptives, steroids, isotretinoin, L-asparaginase).
• Post-solid organ transplant ( on systemic steroids, tacrolimus, sirolimus)

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How do you lower triglycerides in children?

• Serve a heart-healthy diet, including: - vegetables, fruit, and whole grains.
• Limit drinks and foods with added sugars.
• Read nutrition facts labels so that you can limit cholesterol and saturated fat and trans fat.
• Encourage plenty of exercise.
• Help your kids keep a healthy weight.

What can cause high triglycerides?

The most common cause of high triglycerides is uncontrolled diabetes. Being overweight or obese, eating a lot of carbohydrates or sugar, consuming high amounts of alcohol, having hypothyroidism, kidney disease, certain inherited lipid disorders, and being on estrogen therapy for menopause symptom management can raise your triglyceride levels, too.

What foods do you eat to lower triglycerides?

Is it possible to lower triglycerides naturally?

• Cut back on sugar and refined carbs. Different carbohydrate-loaded foods also contain very different nutritional levels. Refined grains.
• Stick to whole carbs and fiber. Apples (with skin). Sweet potatoes. Whole grains. Dr. ...
• Eliminate alcohol. High triglyceride levels can be caused by excessive alcohol consumption as well. ...

What if my child has high triglycerides?

You can often also manage your child's triglyceride level with lifestyle changes involving changes in diet — particularly increasing intake of omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish) and eating fewer simple carbohydrates such as bread and pasta — and increased exercise.

What is the triglycerides level in kids?

Normal Results Normal: Less than 150 mg/dL. Borderline high: 150 to 199 mg/dL. High: 200 to 499 mg/dL. Very high: 500 mg/dL or above.

What is the main cause of high triglycerides?

Causes include obesity, eating too much unhealthy food, genetics, certain illnesses including poorly controlled diabetes, kidney disease, and underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). Some drugs, such as steroids and birth control pills, and drinking a lot of alcohol can also cause it. Most people have no symptoms.

What causes high lipids in children?

Three main factors contribute to high cholesterol in children and teens: An unhealthy diet, especially one that is high in fats. A family history of high cholesterol, especially when one or both parents have high cholesterol. Obesity.

What are the warning signs of high triglycerides?

Very high triglycerides may cause blocking of the blood supply to your heart or your brain. Symptoms of decreased blood supply to your heart could include chest pain. Decreased blood supply to your brain could cause numbness, dizziness, confusion, blurred vision, or severe headache.

Is it normal for a child to have high cholesterol?

What is the normal cholesterol level for a child? High cholesterol in children and adults is defined as total cholesterol over 200 mg/dL. Specifically, LDL or triglycerides greater than 130 mg/dL or HDL less than 40 mg/L are considered abnormal. For children, staying under these levels is considered healthy.

What foods raise triglycerides the most?

Sugary food and drinks, saturated fats, refined grains, alcohol, and high-calorie foods can all lead to high levels of triglycerides....Refined Grains and Starchy FoodsEnriched or bleached white bread, wheat bread, or pasta.Sugary cereals.Instant rice.Bagels.Pizza.Pastries, pies, cookies, and cakes.

Can a virus cause high triglycerides?

In some cases, high triglycerides may be caused by inflammation and infection. People with infections and chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases – such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and psoriasis – often have high triglycerides and low HDL.

Can vitamin D deficiency cause high triglycerides?

Low vitamin D levels could result in dyslipidemia, and lipid abnormalities—that is, an increase in triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and a decrease in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level—have been identified as important risk factors for ...

What are signs of high cholesterol in children?

According to the National Library of Medicine, children do not usually have any symptoms of high cholesterol. A child should have their cholesterol levels checked routinely, particularly if they have risk factors.

Can a 9 year old have high cholesterol?

Children between the ages of 9 and 11 should be screened But fewer of us know that the risks from high cholesterol can start in childhood. “Even young children may have high cholesterol,” explains Julie Brothers, MD, Director of the Lipid Heart Clinic at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

What causes high triglycerides but normal cholesterol?

Certain liver diseases can sometimes cause high triglycerides levels when you have normal cholesterol. Typically, they affect how your liver produces triglycerides and how your body uses them. Liver diseases that are thought to contribute to high triglyceride levels include: Alcoholic fatty liver disease.

How can kids lower triglycerides?

Choosing whole grains, reducing added sugars, including healthy fats, exercising and maintaining a healthy weight can help lower your triglycerides.

What is a normal triglyceride level?

A simple blood test can reveal whether your triglycerides fall into a healthy range: Normal — Less than 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), or less than 1.7 millimoles per liter (mmol/L) Borderline high — 150 to 199 mg/dL (1.8 to 2.2 mmol/L) High — 200 to 499 mg/dL (2.3 to 5.6 mmol/L)

Why does my 10 year old have high cholesterol?

What causes high cholesterol in children? Cholesterol levels in children are linked to three factors: heredity, diet, and obesity. In most cases, kids with high cholesterol have a parent who also has elevated cholesterol.

What are signs of high cholesterol in children?

According to the National Library of Medicine, children do not usually have any symptoms of high cholesterol. A child should have their cholesterol levels checked routinely, particularly if they have risk factors.