I am wondering if there is any treatment for patients with high triglycerides (typically 300-500) that do not respond to traditional medicines. I have been under the care of a specialist who has advised me that there’s nothing else he can do for me. I have seen ads for over the counter treatments like Nialor that are touted to be effective in lowering triglycerides and wonder what the view is of such remedies. I am 52, 20% overweight, my cholesterol is typically 200-250 and my liver enzymes are typically 10-20% above normal range. I swim laps for 40 minutes at least 300 days each year and have cut cholesterol, fat, sugar and alcohol intake significantly in recent years.
None of these measures have reduced my readings although I feel much healthier. I have tried a range of statins, fibrates and bile sequestrants over the past few years, including Gemfibrozil, Tricor, Zocor, Niaspan, Zetia, Crestor, Colestid and even Policosanol. None of these have brought my triglycerides into the normal range, and I’ve had adverse reactions such as muscle weakness to the statins. I note that to my doctor’s amazement, Niaspan actually lowered my liver enzymes into the normal range, but didn’t bring my triglycerides under 300.
Are there any other treatments or medications I should try?
