For people with extremely high triglycerides (TGs),
such as those with Familial Chylomicronaemia Syndrome (FCS)
ESC/EAS guideline TG target of ≤10 mmol/L (880 mg/dL) significantly reduces risk of acute pancreatitis1
Not an actual patient
Not an actual patient
Extremely High Triglycerides and FCS
Consider an underlying cause such as FCS if their triglyceride levels do not lower enough with conventional approaches (e.g., fibrates, statins, and omega-3 fatty acids) and lifestyle changes (e.g., a very low-fat diet and avoiding alcohol)2,3
Not an actual patient
See the Signs of FCS
Elevated triglycerides in people who appear otherwise healthy may point to underlying causes that standard approaches miss4
If You See Extremely High Triglycerides
Rule out secondary causes5
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
Consider underlying causes such as FCS2,3,6
See the risk of acute pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis is the most prevalent, severe, and potentially fatal complication that people with FCS face.7 Relative risk of acute pancreatitis is 14x greater in people with triglyceride levels >10 mmol/L (880 mg/dL) compared to people with <2.3 mmol/L (200 mg/dL)8Finding the underlying cause can help people access the right care to reduce their risk of acute pancreatitis4
Endocrinology, cardiology, and lipidology experts agree that keeping triglyceride levels ≤10 mmol/L (880 mg/dL) is the goal to reduce the risk of acute pancreatitis. The ESC/EAS guidelines state that the risk of acute pancreatitis is clinically significant at triglyceride levels >10 mmol/L (880 mg/dL)1
Lower the risk of acute pancreatitis by referring early and aiming for guideline-recommended triglyceride levels1
Abbreviations
EAS, European Atherosclerosis Society; ESC, European Society of Cardiology; 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.
- 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.
- 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.