Hypertriglyceridaemia
Assessment & management
Definition
A non-fasting triglyceride level above the normal range (>2 mmol/L) – repeat with patient fasted to confirm the diagnosis.
Assessment
Exclude secondary causes:
- Alcohol excess
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Drugs causes (e.g. steroid hormones)
- Hypothyroidism
- Fatty liver disease of any cause
Management
|
Fasting triglyceride level (mmol/L) |
Action |
|
4.5-9.9 |
Lifestyle interventions to reduce cardiovascular risk. No specific drug treatment is indicated |
|
>10 |
Seek specialist advice – patient is at risk of pancreatitis Consider starting a fibrate |
Be aware that risk assessment tools will underestimate the CVD risk