II. Definitions

  1. Triglyceride
    1. Lipid composed of three molecules of Fatty Acid esterified to Glycerol
    2. Triglycerides are a non-polar fat synthesized from Carbohydrates or ingested
    3. Triglycerides are High Energy Molecules that are stored for later use in animal adipose cells (fat cells)
  2. Diglyceride
    1. Lipid composed of two Fatty Acid chains esterified to Glycerol
  3. Monoglyceride
    1. Lipid composed of a single Fatty Acid chain esterified to Glycerol
  4. Phosphoglyceride
    1. Diglyceride with the one free OH group on Glycerol attached to a phosphate (Phosphatidate)
    2. Phosphate in turn is attached to Serine, Ethanolamine, Choline or Inositol
    3. Includes Phosphatidyl Serine, Phosphatidyl Ethanolamine, Phosphatidyl Choline, Phosphatidyl Inositol

III. Physiology

  1. See Lipids
  2. See Fatty Acids
  3. FattyAcidDerivatives.png

IV. Interpretation: Serum Triglycerides

  1. Normal: <150 mg/dl
  2. High: 150 to 499 mg/dl
  3. Severe: >=500 mg/dl

V. Causes: Increased Triglycerides (Secondary Hypertriglyceridemia Causes)

  1. Pregnancy (Estrogen Mediated)
  2. Alcohol Abuse
  3. Acute Myocardial Infarction
  4. Pancreatitis
  5. Nephrotic Syndrome
  6. Chronic Renal Insufficiency
  7. Acute intermittent porphyria
  8. Endocrine Disease
    1. Obesity
    2. Metabolic Syndrome
    3. Diabetes Mellitus
    4. Hypothyroidism
    5. Cushing's Syndrome
    6. Hypopituitarism
  9. Medications
    1. Atypical Antipsychotics
    2. Beta Blockers
    3. Bile Binding Resin
    4. Exogenous Estrogens
    5. Glucocorticoids
    6. Immunosuppressants
    7. Isotretinoin
    8. Protease Inhibitors
    9. Thiazide Diuretics
    10. Ticlopidine (Ticlid)
  10. Genetic Syndromes
    1. Glycogen Storage Disease
    2. Hyperlipoproteinemia (types I, IIb, III, IV, and V)
    3. Familial Combined Hyperlipidemia
    4. Familial Hypertriglyceridemia
    5. Familial Dysbetalipoproteinemia
    6. Familial Hypoalphalipoproteinemia
    7. Familial Hyperchylomicronemia

VI. Causes: Decreased Triglycerides

  1. Malnutrition
  2. Abetalipoproteinemia
  3. Medications
    1. Gemfibrozil
    2. Nicotinic Acid
    3. Clofibrate
    4. Omega 3 Fatty Acids

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