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Are Triglyceride Levels More Important Than LDL?

A lipid panel, or cholesterol test, is used to determine levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. According to the Mayo Clinic, lipid panels are important in assessing if you are at risk for certain cardiac diseases. Triglyceride values and low density lipoprotein levels (LDL) are key in these diagnoses.

  1. Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL)

    • LDL cholesterol is considered "bad" cholesterol, and your LDL count should remain below 130. Cholesterol is created naturally in the liver, but LDL cholesterol also is commonly taken in through high-cholesterol foods such as egg yolks and red meat.

    Triglycerides

    • Fats taken in through foods are converted to triglycerides. Triglycerides contribute to natural cell regeneration, but excessive amounts---counts of 150 or higher---convert directly into LDL cholesterol.

    Considerations

    • Both LDL and triglycerides should stay within safe ranges, but if both levels are high it is important to bring LDL levels down first. High triglyceride counts are a concern, but high LDL values present a more immediate health threat.

    Health Risks

    • High LDL counts often indicate high risk for atherosclerosis, in which arteries become blocked; the condition can lead to heart attacks and strokes. High triglycerides are secondary to high LDL because excessive triglycerides convert to LDL and only add to already-elevated LDL levels.

    Prevention

    • Diets low in saturated fats and cholesterol are key in preventing high LDL counts. Avoiding excessive starch---bread, pasta, potatoes--is also important, because starch converts to triglycerides and therefore has a direct bearing on cholesterol counts.

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