Hypertriglyceridemia: What You Should Know

By Alan S. Peterson, M.D.

What Is Hypertriglyceridemia?

Hypertriglyceridemia is when you have too much fat in your blood. This fat is called triglycerides. People with high triglycerides usually do not have symptoms. Sometimes it causes heart and liver problems if high enough. Hypertriglyceridemia also can cause pancreatitis, which causes significant stomach pain. If you have pancreatitis, you should go to the doctor immediately. You may need to be admitted to the hospital.

Who Gets It?

You can have hypertriglyceridemia at any age. It can run in families also. You are more likely to get it if you eat unhealthy foods, smoke, or are overweight. Some medicines (for example, birth control, or hormone pills) may cause it while you are taking them. If you have other health problems, like diabetes or thyroid disease, you also may have hypertriglyceridemia.

How Can My Doctor Tell If I Have It?

Your doctor can give you a blood test to check for high triglyceride levels. This test is usually part of a cholesterol fractionation test. Talk to your doctor if you are worried about high triglycerides.

How Is It Treated?

If you have hypertriglyceridemia, you should get 20-30 minutes of aerobic exercise at least three times a week (such as walking, jogging, swimming, or bike riding). You should also eat a diet low in saturated fat and low in sugar (such as baked fish; reduced fat products; and food cooked with vegetable, canola, or olive oil). Don’t drink more than two alcoholic drinks per day. Don’t smoke or use tobacco in any way. Stay away from trans fats too.

Your doctor may give you medication. Ask your doctor what the best treatment choice is for you.

Where Can I Get More Information?