Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) Practice Exam

Which lab finding is most closely related to hypertriglyceridemia?

1. High HDL

2. Elevated fasting plasma glucose

3. Low HDL

4. Small sized LDL particles

The correct answer is: Low HDL

Hypertriglyceridemia is characterized by elevated levels of triglycerides in the blood, and it is often associated with metabolic dysregulation related to diabetes and cardiovascular health. One of the consequences of hypertriglyceridemia is that it can lead to alterations in lipoprotein profiles, particularly influencing the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). A low level of HDL is considered a significant risk factor in individuals with hypertriglyceridemia. This is because low HDL levels are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, which is often found alongside elevated triglycerides. In metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes, the interplay between triglycerides and HDL cholesterol levels is particularly evident, where managing triglyceride levels often involves striving to increase HDL. In contrast, high HDL levels would typically be seen as protective against cardiovascular disease, not directly correlated with hypertriglyceridemia. Elevated fasting plasma glucose is indicative of insulin resistance and diabetes, but it does not directly pertain to triglyceride levels. Small-sized LDL particles are associated with increased atherogenicity and risk of cardiovascular events, but the presence of these particles does not specifically define hypertriglyceridemia as much as the low HDL does. Therefore, low