Signs and symptoms of high triglyceride levels in the blood (hypertriglyceridemia)
Severely high triglyceride levels are associated with a broad spectrum of non-specific symptoms, including:1
- Neurological symptoms
Memory loss, difficulties concentrating, depression
- Lipemia retinalis
Milky appearance of the veins and arteries of the retina
- Hepatosplenomegaly
Enlargement of the liver and spleen
- Xanthomas
Fat deposits in the skin, usually found on the buttocks, knees and arms
- Frequent abdominal and back pain
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Numbness in the feet or legs
- Forgetfulness
- Exhaustion
- Pancreatitis
What should you do?
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to get your triglyceride levels tested. Understanding and managing your triglyceride levels can help prevent further complications and improve your overall health.
Possible complication of severely high triglyceride levels
Pancreatitis
Very high triglyceride levels can cause inflammation of the pancreas, a condition known as pancreatitis. The risk of developing pancreatitis increases as triglyceride levels rise.2
Understanding the risk levels3,4
- High Risk: At triglyceride levels above 885 mg/dL (approx. 10 mmol/L), the risk of pancreatitis is high.
- Individual Differences: Some patients may develop pancreatitis when their triglyceride levels rise above 1000 mg/dL (approx. 11.3 mmol/L), while others may have different threshold levels.
What should you do?
If you have high triglyceride levels, regular monitoring and appropriate management are essential to prevent complications such as pancreatitis and improve overall health.
Hear firsthand from Krish, a patient with FCS, about how poor dietary choices have impacted her health. She has endured multiple episodes of pancreatitis, leading to frequent hospitalizations. Discover the challenges she faced and the resilience she demonstrated in overcoming this painful condition.
Typical symptoms of pancreatitis
Pancreatitis often presents with severe abdominal pain that can radiate across the abdomen. Other common symptoms include nausea and vomiting. These symptoms typically worsen after eating.5
Preventing pancreatic inflammation caused by high triglycerides
Key Prevention Measures
To prevent pancreatic inflammation caused by high triglyceride levels, it is crucial to keep triglyceride levels in the blood from rising excessively.4
This can be achieved through:6,7
- A healthy diet
- Taking medication, if necessary
Learning:
Acute pancreatitis can quickly worsen and become life-threatening. If symptoms persist, seek medical attention immediately.
Recognizing atypical symptoms
Sometimes, pancreatic inflammation does not present with typical symptoms. Patients may have increased triglyceride levels with diffuse, undefined abdominal pain. Even in these cases, symptoms often worsen after eating.
Treatment and Recovery
Pancreatitis may take several days or weeks to resolve. Treatment includes pain medication and avoiding food intake until symptoms disappear.
Long-Term Effects of Recurrent Inflammation
Recurrent inflammation can cause permanent damage to the pancreas, leading to chronic pain. Since the pancreas produces hormones like insulin, regulates blood sugar, and supports digestion, organ damage can result in:1,8
Loss of insulin production, increasing the risk of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
Severe digestive disorders with pain and diarrhea due to reduced digestive enzymes
References
- Davidson M, et al. The burden of familial chylomicronemia syndrome: Results from the global IN-FOCUS study. J Clin Lipidol 2018;12(4):898–907.
- Valdivielso P, Ramírez-Bueno A, Ewald N. Current knowledge of hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis. Eur J Intern Med. 2014 Oct;25(8):689-94.
- Moulin P, et al. Identification and diagnosis of patients with familial chylomicronaemia syndrome (FCS): Expert panel recommendations and proposal of an ”FCS score”. Atherosclerosis. 2018;275:265-72
- Laufs U, et al. Clinical review on triglycerides. European Heart Journal (2020) 41, 99–109
- Pancreatitis Pain: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment. Available at: https://www.ezmedlearning.com/pancreatitis-causes-symptoms-diagnosis-treatment.
- Williams L, et al. Familial chylomicronemia syndrome: Bringing to life dietary recommendations throughout the life span. J Clin Lipidol. 2018; 12:908–19
- Burnett JR, Hooper AJ, Hegele RA. Familial Lipoprotein Lipase Deficiency. 1999 Oct 12 [Updated 2017 Jun 22]. In: Adam MP, Mirzaa GM, Pagon RA, et al., editors. GeneReviews® [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2023. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1308/
- Canadian Digestive Health Foundation. Pancreatitis – Symptoms. Abrufbar unter http://cdhf.ca
Pancreatitis – what is it?
Acute pancreatitis is a sudden inflammation of the pancreas. The primary symptom is severe, sudden pain in the upper abdomen. Other symptoms may include nausea and vomiting.
Triglycerides - What are they?
Triglycerides make up the majority of dietary fats and serve as a vital energy source for your body. When you consume more calories than your body needs, these extra calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in fat tissue.
Causes of high triglyceride levels
High triglyceride levels, also known as hypertriglyceridemia, indicate a disorder of fat metabolism. This can have multiple causes…