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What Are the Treatments for Low HDL Cholesterol With High Serum Triglyceride?

The main treatments for decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and high serum triglyercides in the blood include healthy lifestyle changes and medication. Low HDL and high triglycerides are risk factors for heart disease and diabetes, and may point to a metabolic disorder, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). HDL is considered "good" cholesterol because it carries away cholesterol from the arteries and back to the liver, where it's broken down and eliminated.

  1. Significance

    • Maintaining a healthy weight, eating healthy foods, getting regular exercise, not smoking and limiting alcohol consumption are the most recommended treatments to reduce serum triglyceride levels and increase HDL, reports the AHA. HDL is "good" cholesterol, and the higher the better. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is considered "bad" cholesterol. An LDL level lower than 100 mg/dL is considered healthy.

    Identification

    • Cholesterol medications fall into four categories: fibric acids, or fibrates; nicotinic acid, or niacin; bile acid binders, or resins; and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, or statins, says the AHA. Some doctors prescribe a combination to raise HDL and lower serum triglyerides.

    Fibric Acids

    • Fibric acids, or fibrates, are the most commonly prescribed medications for lowering triglyceride levels and, to some extent, raising HDL cholesterol levels. Gemfibrozil is one of the most commonly prescribed. Its brand name is Lopid.

    Nicotinic Acid

    • Nicotinic acid, or niacin, is a doctor-prescribed B vitamin that can raise HDL cholesterol. The dosage prescribed by doctors is much higher than available over the counter. The AHA warns against substituting dietary supplement niacin for prescription niacin.

    Resins

    • Bile acid binders, or resins, help rid the body of cholesterol, improving overall triglyceride and HDL levels. Resins include colestipol (brand-name Colestid) and colesevelam HCl (brand-name WelChol).

    Statins

    • HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, or statins, are usually prescribed to reduce LDL cholesterol. However, they are also used to improve overall cholesterol levels. Statins can help make modest changes in HDL and triglycerides. Some statins include atorvastatin, with the brand-name Lipitor, and rosuvastatin calcium, with the brand-name Crestor.

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