Familial hypertriglyceridemia

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Familial hypertriglyceridemia

Treatment:

The goal of treatment is to control exacerbating conditions, such as obesity, hypothyroidism, and diabetes wherever possible. Alcohol use should be discontinued. Oral contraceptive use should be reviewed and the specific type chosen carefully. Restriction of excess calories and reduction of saturated fats in the diet is indicated.

If high triglyceride levels persist with maximum dietary treatment, drug therapy should be started. Nicotinic acid or gemfibrozil are drugs that have effectively reduced triglycerides in people affected with familial hypertriglyceridemia.

Expectations (prognosis):

There is an increased risk of coronary artery disease and pancreatitis with this disorder. Weight loss and control of diabetes has a positive effect on the outcome.

Complications:

increased risk of pancreatitis
increased risk of coronary artery disease

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider for screening, if family members are found to have elevated triglyceride or LDL levels.

Review Date: 4/19/2004
Reviewed By: Douglas R. Stewart, M.D., Division of Medical Genetics, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.