Triglycerides vs. Cholesterol: What’s the Difference?

When you look at your blood test results, you will see many different numbers. Two important numbers are for triglycerides and cholesterol. These are both types of lipids. Lipid is another word for fat.^1,2

Your body needs both triglycerides and cholesterol to stay healthy. However, having high levels of these fats can affect your heart health. This is important to know if you or someone you love is living with severe hypertriglyceridemia (sHTG).^1,2

The difference between triglycerides and cholesterol

Lipids are fats that travel through your blood. Your body uses them for many tasks. While they are both fats, triglycerides and cholesterol have very different jobs. Doctors measure these levels to check your cardiovascular health, which is the health of your heart and blood vessels.^1,2

Triglycerides provide energy

When you eat, your body changes any calories it does not need to use right away into triglycerides. These are stored in your fat cells. Later, your body uses them as energy between meals. If you regularly eat more calories than you burn, your triglyceride levels may become high.^1,2

Cholesterol builds cells

Cholesterol is different because your body does not use it for energy. Instead, your body uses it to build cells and make certain hormones. Your liver makes the cholesterol in your body. You also get some cholesterol from foods like meat and dairy.1,2

There are 2 main types of cholesterol:^1,2

• LDL (low-density lipoprotein) – This is often called "bad" cholesterol. It makes up most of the cholesterol in your body. High levels of LDL lead to a buildup of plaque in your arteries. This buildup can cause your blood vessels to narrow. This makes it harder for blood to flow to your heart and other organs.
• HDL (high-density lipoprotein) – This is often called "good" cholesterol. It helps your body by absorbing cholesterol in the blood. It carries it back to your liver. The liver then flushes it from your body. High levels of HDL can lower your risk for heart disease and stroke.

What causes high lipid levels?

Many things can cause high levels of these fats in your blood. For many people, these levels rise because of lifestyle choices.^1,2

Triglyceride levels often rise when you eat too many simple sugars. Drinking alcohol can also raise these levels quickly. Not moving your body enough or being overweight or having obesity are other common causes.^1,2

High cholesterol levels often come from eating too much saturated fat. These fats are found in butter, cheese, and red meat. Smoking and not getting enough exercise can also raise your "bad" cholesterol.^1,2

Both triglycerides and cholesterol can also be high because of your genes. This means the condition is passed down through your family. You cannot change your genes. If your levels stay high even after healthy changes, it may be a genetic condition.^1,2

How does this affect severe hypertriglyceridemia (sHTG)?

Severe hypertriglyceridemia, or sHTG, is a condition where triglyceride levels are very high (above 500 mg/dL). A normal triglyceride level is 150 mg/dL. For most people, high triglycerides come from diet or lifestyle. However, for some people, the cause is genetic.³

One example of a genetic cause is familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS). People with FCS have a hard time breaking down fats. This leads to extremely high levels of triglycerides in the blood (above 1,000 mg/dL).³

Treatment for sHTG typically includes lifestyle changes (like diet and exercise) and medicine. It is important to know if your high levels are genetic, as the treatment may be different.³

Why the difference between triglycerides and cholesterol matters

It is easy to confuse these 2 fats. A simple way to remember the difference is that triglycerides are unused energy, while cholesterol is a building block.^1,2

If you have sHTG, your primary concern is the very high level of triglycerides. Very high triglycerides can increase the risk of pancreatitis, which is a painful swelling of the pancreas.³

While high cholesterol is also a health risk, the management of sHTG focuses specifically on lowering those triglyceride numbers.³

Work with your doctor to manage your health

Your healthcare team will help you manage your lipid levels. They may suggest changes to your diet, such as eating fewer simple sugars or fats. They might also prescribe medicine to help lower your triglyceride levels.³

Always talk to your doctor about your specific numbers. Every person is different. Understanding whether your condition is related to lifestyle or genetics is a great first step in taking control of your health.³