Abnormally High Triglyceride Levels

I received my results from my cholesterol panel:

HDL is 22
LDL is unknown
TRIGLYCERIDES 1,165

My doc said that the triglyceride levels are so high, that it obscured my LDL reading. She has prescribed to me "Tricor."

I am a non steroid using body builder and jogger/runner. I run two miles every other day and weight lift six days a week. I do not use supplements, except a store bought multivitamin. I am 31 years old
Hispanic male, weigh 235 lbs at 5'8", but my body fat is approximately
11-12%, which I had measured through hydrostatic weighing. I have been exercising since I was 14 years old.

There is a history of diabetes type 1 on my maternal side and a history of thyroid cancer on my fathers side.

I am at a loss to what the problem could be and my doctor just wants me to take the prescription medicine but doesn't have an answer to what is causing this. Is there anyone out there with a suggestion on possible causes, any specialists I should see or any other tests I should take?

You're welcome. Glad your BP is normal. You may not have metabolic syndrome. Niaspan is a prescription form of niacin that causes less flushing. niacin/niaspan increases HDL. see www.niaspan.com for more

aren't the culprit any more, olive oil and other unsaturated fats are healthy. Unrefined carbs, added sugars, and white potatoes are the chief villans according to the Harvard School of Public Health. You many be able to reduce trig somewhat and raise HDL by using olive oil in place of carbs. See http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/

Thank you for your advice. My blood pressure is in the normal range.
What is niaspan?

I try to eat a balanced diet, not too much starches. I received my
B.S. in dietetics and biochemistry but my memory in these subjects have not been put into use for more than a few years. (I wish I didn't sell my textbooks back to the bookstore either!)

Anyway, I was thinking about drastically reducing or perhaps eliminating carbohydrates in my diet, but wonder if this will help or create more problems.

I decided to take another cholesterol panel today (after a 14 hour fast) just to make sure the previous test isn't a fluke. A different doc I talk to before the blood draw took a look at my previous results and noticed that my liver enzymes were also high.

Thank you for your advice. I will read into this.

Your body fat is excellent. Your HDL level is dangerously low. A high carb diet can contribute to high trig. See http://www.mercola.com/2003/oct/25/ carbs_triglycerides.htm

I'd suggest getting a Hba1c test to rule out diabetes or metabolic syndrome. Also, consider increasing your running mileage. You might ask your doc about fish oil supplements and niaspan. Is your blood pressure ok?