Hypertriglyceridaemia
2 medicines
Hypertriglyceridaemia is a raised level of triglyceride fats in the blood that increases the risk of pancreatitis and cardiovascular disease. It is managed with diet and exercise, and fibrate medicines when levels stay high.
Key facts
- Hypertriglyceridaemia means triglyceride levels, a type of fat, are higher than normal in the blood.
- Most cases are secondary to excess alcohol, poorly controlled diabetes, obesity, hypothyroidism or certain medicines; a hereditary form also exists.
- Severely raised levels can trigger acute pancreatitis, so the condition deserves attention even without symptoms.
- Lifestyle change comes first; when levels stay high, a fibrate medicine such as fenofibrate or gemfibrozil is usually added.
What causes no symptoms until it does
Hypertriglyceridaemia rarely announces itself. Most people find out only through a routine blood test, since mildly or moderately raised levels produce no physical signs at all. It is only when levels climb very high that visible clues appear, such as small, yellowish fatty deposits under the skin (xanthomas) or a pale ring around the cornea. The real danger sits below the surface: very high triglycerides thicken the blood in a way that can trigger acute pancreatitis, sudden, severe inflammation of the pancreas that needs emergency hospital care.
What drives triglycerides up
Secondary causes account for most cases: excess alcohol, poorly controlled diabetes, obesity, hypothyroidism, and certain medicines, including corticosteroids and some beta-blockers. A diet high in sugar and refined carbohydrates is a strong driver too. Familial hypertriglyceridaemia, a hereditary form, produces very high levels that often need medicine alongside lifestyle change from the start rather than as a later step. Because it so often rides alongside other metabolic problems, a triglyceride result is usually read together with blood sugar, thyroid function, and overall cholesterol.
Fibrate medicines and other options
Cutting sugar, refined carbs and alcohol, and increasing physical activity, brings meaningful reductions on its own and is worth trying first in most cases. When triglycerides stay stubbornly high, fibrate medicines are usually the first choice. Fenofibrate and gemfibrozil both work by activating receptors that speed the breakdown of triglyceride-carrying particles in the blood. Both sit within the broader cholesterol category, where other lipid-lowering options may help if cholesterol is raised at the same time. Because the two conditions overlap so often, a single blood test panel and a single treatment plan usually cover both.
When to see a doctor
Seek medical assessment promptly if triglycerides are very high, above 10 mmol/L, or if you develop sudden, severe abdominal pain, a possible sign of pancreatitis. Regular blood tests are worth keeping up even without symptoms, since the condition is picked up mainly through screening, and repeat testing helps confirm whether lifestyle changes or medicine are bringing the level down.
This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.