Hypertriglyceridaemia
Hypertriglyceridaemia means the level of triglycerides, a type of fat, in your blood is higher than it should be. Mild elevation is extremely common, and diets high in refined carbohydrates, white rice, and sugary drinks contribute significantly to the condition. Severely raised levels can trigger acute pancreatitis, a medical emergency, so the condition deserves attention even when it causes no obvious symptoms.
Key points
- Triglycerides that climb very high can bring on acute pancreatitis, a medical emergency, even in someone with no other symptoms.
- Obesity, poorly controlled diabetes, hypothyroidism, excess alcohol and certain medicines including corticosteroids are among the common secondary causes.
- Fenofibrate and gemfibrozil, both fibrates, activate receptors that speed the clearance of triglyceride-carrying particles from the bloodstream.
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 high-sugar or high-starch diet is a particularly strong driver. Familial hypertriglyceridaemia, a hereditary form, produces very high levels that often need medicine alongside lifestyle change.
Fibrate medicines and other options
Lifestyle changes, cutting sugar, refined carbs, and alcohol, and increasing physical activity, bring meaningful reductions on their own. When triglycerides remain stubbornly elevated, fibrate medicines are usually the first choice. Fenofibrate and gemfibrozil both work by activating receptors that accelerate the breakdown of triglyceride-carrying particles in the blood. Both belong to the broader cholesterol management category, where other lipid-lowering options may also be relevant if cholesterol is simultaneously raised.
If triglycerides are very high (above 10 mmol/L) or you develop sudden severe abdominal pain, seek medical assessment promptly.