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Hypertriglyceridemia

Last reviewed: 20 Jan 2026
Last updated: 06 Jan 2026

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • eruptive xanthomas
  • lipemia retinalis
Full details

Other diagnostic factors

  • increased BMI/waist circumference
  • lipodystrophy
  • features of coronary artery disease
  • claudication
  • neurologic features
  • recurrent abdominal pain
Full details

Risk factors

  • family history of hyperlipidemia
  • high saturated fat diet
  • high carbohydrate or high glycemic index diet
  • excessive alcohol consumption
  • family or personal history of overweight/obesity
  • family or personal history of diabetes
  • insulin resistance
  • liver disease
  • renal disease
  • HIV infection
  • use of certain drugs
  • Cushing syndrome
  • inflammatory/immune disorders
  • organ transplant
  • hypothyroidism
  • pregnancy
Full details

Diagnostic tests

1st tests to order

  • triglyceride level
Full details

Tests to consider

  • apolipoprotein B
  • fasting plasma glucose
  • BUN, creatinine
  • urinary albumin/protein
  • serum albumin
  • thyroid-stimulating hormone
  • liver function tests
  • C-reactive protein
Full details

Treatment algorithm

ACUTE

chylomicronemia

ONGOING

moderate HTG (fasting TG ≥150 mg/dL [≥1.7 mmol/L] or nonfasting TG ≥175 mg/dL [≥2.0 mmol/L] and TG <500 mg/dL [<5.6 mmol/L])

severe HTG (fasting TG ≥500 mg/dL [≥5.6 mmol/L] especially fasting TG ≥1000 mg/dL [≥11.3 mmol/L])

Contributors

Authors

Robert A. Hegele, MD, FRCPC, Cert Endo, FACP, FAHA

Jacob J. Wolfe Distinguished Medical Research Chair

Martha Blackburn Chair in Cardiovascular Research

Distinguished University Professor of Medicine and Biochemistry

University of Western Ontario

London

Ontario

Canada

利益声明

RAH reports consulting fees from Akcea/Ionis, Amgen, HLS Therapeutics, Medison, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Sanofi and Ultragenyx. RAH is an author of references cited in this topic.

鸣谢

Dr Robert A. Hegele would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr David Alexander Leaf, the previous contributor to this topic.

利益声明

DAL declares that he has no competing interests.

同行评议者

Vinaya Simha, MBBS, MD

Associate Professor

Mayo Clinic

Rochester

MN

利益声明

VS declares that he has no competing interests.

Peer reviewer acknowledgements

BMJ Best Practice topics are updated on a rolling basis in line with developments in evidence and guidance. The peer reviewers listed here have reviewed the content at least once during the history of the topic.

Disclosures

Peer reviewer affiliations and disclosures pertain to the time of the review.

参考文献

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关键文献

Grundy SM, Stone NJ, Bailey AL, et al. 2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA guideline on the management of blood cholesterol: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association task force on clinical practice guidelines. Circulation. 2019 Jun 18;139(25):e1082-143.全文  摘要

Mach F, Baigent C, Catapano AL, et al. 2019 ESC/EAS guidelines for the management of dyslipidaemias: lipid modification to reduce cardiovascular risk. Eur Heart J. 2020 Jan 1;41(1):111-88.全文  摘要

Patel SB, Wyne KL, Afreen S, et al. American Association of Clinical Endocrinology clinical practice guideline on pharmacologic management of adults with dyslipidemia. Endocr Pract. 2025 Feb;31(2):236-62.全文  摘要

参考文献

A full list of sources referenced in this topic is available to users with access to all of BMJ Best Practice.
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    • 2025 focused update of the 2019 ESC/EAS guidelines for the management of dyslipidaemias
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