Hypertriglyceridaemia
Hypertriglyceridaemia means triglyceride levels in the blood are raised. Moderate elevation contributes to cardiovascular risk, while very high levels can trigger acute pancreatitis even though the lipid abnormality itself causes no warning symptoms.
Key takeaways
- Alcohol, uncontrolled diabetes, hypothyroidism, kidney disease and some medicines are important reversible causes.
- Pancreatitis prevention becomes the immediate priority when triglycerides are severely raised.
- Fibrate choice and combination therapy depend on kidney function, other lipid results, interactions and muscle-toxicity risk.
A lipid-medicine listing cannot determine urgency or treatment; the triglyceride level, fasting context, secondary causes and pancreatitis history guide care.
What does assessment look for?
A repeat lipid profile may confirm the pattern. Review includes glucose control, alcohol, thyroid and kidney function, pregnancy and current medicines. Very high or recurrent levels can suggest an inherited lipid disorder.
How are triglycerides lowered?
Reducing alcohol and refined carbohydrate, improving diabetes control and addressing weight can have a large effect. Fenofibrate or gemfibrozil may be considered, but they are not interchangeable when combined with other lipid medicines. See cholesterol management for class context.
When to seek urgent care
Seek emergency care for sudden severe upper-abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, fever, faintness or pain spreading to the back. These can indicate acute pancreatitis.