For people with extremely high triglycerides (TGs), such as those with Familial Chylomicronaemia Syndrome (FCS)
Lowering TGs to the ESC/EAS guideline level of ≤10 mmol/L (880 mg/dL) reduces the risk of acute pancreatitis1
Not an actual patient
Not an actual patient
FCS AND EXTREMELY HIGH TRIGLYCERIDES
This site is intended for EU healthcare professionals and explores Familial Chylomicronaemia Syndrome (FCS) – a rare condition that causes extremely high triglyceride levels and a range of complications2–4
People with extremely high triglycerides, above 10 mmol/L (880 mg/dL), who do not respond to conventional triglyceride-lowering approaches (e.g., fibrates, statins, and omega-3 fatty acids) may have a specific underlying aetiology. If their triglyceride levels do not lower enough with conventional approaches and lifestyle changes (e.g., a very low-fat diet and avoiding alcohol), consider an underlying cause such as FCS2–4
People with FCS can present with a variety of signs and symptoms, including:4
Abdominal pain
Eruptive xanthomas
Lipaemia retinalis
Fatigue
Acute pancreatitis
See the risk of acute pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis is the most prevalent, severe, and potentially fatal complication that people with FCS face.5 Relative risk of acute pancreatitis is 14x greater in people with triglyceride levels above 10 mmol/L (880 mg/dL) compared to people with levels below 2.3 mmol/L (200 mg/dL)6Finding the underlying cause can help people access the right care to reduce their risk of acute pancreatitis7
If You See Extremely High Triglycerides
Rule out secondary causes8
Medical conditions
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Hypothyroidism
- Autoimmune disease
- Liver/storage disorders
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
Lifestyle factors
- High-fat/high-sugar diet
- Alcohol use
- Inactivity
- Parenteral nutrition
Medications
- Steroids
- Estrogens
- Beta-blockers
- Diuretics
- Antipsychotics
- HIV drugs
- Chemotherapy
- Immunosuppressants
- Isotretinoin
- Propofol
Then if triglyceride levels do not lower with conventional triglyceride-lowering approaches and lifestyle changes
Elevated triglycerides
in people who appear otherwise healthy may point to underlying causes that standard approaches miss7
Not actual patients
Endocrinology, cardiology, and lipidology experts agree that keeping triglyceride levels ≤10 mmol/L (880 mg/dL) reduces the risk of acute pancreatitis. The European Society of Cardiology and European Atherosclerosis Society (ESC/EAS) guidelines state that the risk of acute pancreatitis is clinically significant at triglyceride levels above 10 mmol/L (880mg/dL)1
Lower the risk of acute pancreatitis by referring early and aiming for guideline triglyceride levels1
When triglycerides stay high despite conventional approaches and lifestyle changes, why think FCS?
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Abbreviations
EAS, European Atherosclerosis Society; ESC, European Society of Cardiology; EU, European Union; FCS, Familial Chylomicronaemia Syndrome; HIV, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; TG, triglyceride.
Show References
- Mach F, Baigent C, et al. Eur Heart J. 2020;41(1):111–88.
- Goldberg RB, Chait A, et al. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2020;11:593931.
- Paragh G, Németh Á, et al. Lipids Health Dis. 2022;21:21.
- Davidson M, Stevenson M, et al. J Clin Lipidol. 2018;12(4):898–907.
- Gaudet D, Stevenson M, et al. Lipids Health Dis. 2020;19(1):120.
- Sanchez RJ, Ge W, et al. Lipids Health Dis. 2021;20(1):72.
- Falko JM. Endocr Pract. 2018;24(8):756–63.
- Virani SS, Morris PB, et al. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2021;78(9):960–93.
- Spagnuolo CM, Hegele RA, et al. Expert Rev Endocrinol Metab. 2024;19(4):299–306.