The reference range for serum trigycleride is affected by age, race and gender. For prevention of arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) a concentration >= 500 mg/dL in a fasting specimen (very high in the NCEP guidelines) is an indication for therapy.
Causes of an elevated serum triglyceride concentration:
(1) familial hyperliporoteinemia (Types I, IIb, III, IV, or V)
(2) obesity
(3) diabetes mellitus
(4) hypothyroidism
(5) kidney disease (chronic renal disease, nephrotic syndrome)
(6) panceratitis
(7) alcoholism
(8) other liver disease
(9) gout
(10) glycogen storage disease (von Gierke disease)
(11) Down syndrome
(12) Werner syndrome (43.31)
(13) diet (high calorie, high carbohydrate, low-fat)
(14) cigarette smoking
(15) Cushing’s disease
(16) pregnancy
(17) nonfasting specimen
Drugs:
(1) amiodarone
(2) beta-blockers (not carvedilol)
(3) cholestyramine or other bile acid sequestrant
(4) corticosteroids
(5) thiazides
(6) estrogens
(7) anabolic steroids
(8) interferon
(9) HIV protease inhibitors
(10) tamoxifen
(11) retinoic acid
(12) sirolimus
(13) raloxifene (selective estrogen receptor modulator)
(14) clomiphene (selective estrogen receptor modulator)
