Learn About Familial Hypertriglyceridemia
Familial hypertriglyceridemia is a common disorder passed down through families. It causes a higher-than-normal level of triglycerides (a type of fat) in a person's blood.
Type IV hyperlipoproteinemia
Familial hypertriglyceridemia is most likely caused by genetic variants combined with environmental factors. As a result, the condition clusters in families. How severe the disorder is can vary based on sex, age, hormone use, and dietary factors.
People with this condition also have high levels of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL). LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol are often low.
In most cases, familial hypertriglyceridemia is not noticeable until puberty or early adulthood. Obesity, hyperglycemia (high blood glucose levels), and high levels of insulin are often present as well. These factors may cause even higher triglyceride levels. Alcohol, a diet high in carbohydrates, and estrogen use can make the condition worse.
You are more likely to have this condition if you have a family history of hypertriglyceridemia or heart disease before age 50.
You may not notice any symptoms. Some people with the condition may have coronary artery disease at an early age.
The goal of treatment is to control conditions that can raise triglyceride levels. These include obesity, hypothyroidism, and diabetes.
Your provider may tell you not to drink alcohol. Certain birth control pills can raise triglyceride levels. Talk to your provider about your risk when deciding whether to take these medicines.
Treatment also involves avoiding excess calories and foods high in saturated fats and carbohydrates.
You may need to take medicine if your triglyceride levels stay high, even after making diet changes. Nicotinic acid, gemfibrozil, and fenofibrate will lower triglyceride levels in people with this condition.
Penn Heart And Vascular Center
Michael Miller is a Cardiologist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Miller is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Familial Hypertriglyceridemia. His top areas of expertise are Familial Hypertriglyceridemia, Unstable Angina, High Cholesterol, Cataract Removal, and Endoscopy. Dr. Miller is currently accepting new patients.
Icahn School Of Medicine At Mount Sinai
Deepak Bhatt is an Interventional Cardiologist and a Cardiologist in New York, New York. Dr. Bhatt is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Familial Hypertriglyceridemia. His top areas of expertise are Heart Attack, Acute Coronary Syndrome, Coronary Heart Disease, Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI), and Heart Bypass Surgery.
Baylor College Of Medicine
Christie Ballantyne is a Cardiologist in Houston, Texas. Dr. Ballantyne is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Familial Hypertriglyceridemia. His top areas of expertise are Familial Hypertriglyceridemia, High Cholesterol, Atherosclerosis, Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG), and Heart Bypass Surgery. Dr. Ballantyne is currently accepting new patients.
Losing weight and keeping diabetes under control helps improve the outcome.
Complications may include:
- Pancreatitis
- Coronary artery disease
Screening family members for high triglycerides may detect the disease early.
Summary: The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the effect of MAR001 compared to placebo on levels of the TG and RC in adults with elevated TG and RC.
Summary: The goal of this study is to learn more about omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation on blood lipid profile and platelets in patients with high cholesterol levels. The purpose of this research is to gather information on the safety and effect of two different fish oils, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Participants will: Visit the clinic 3 times during study...
Published Date: May 08, 2024
Published By: Thomas S. Metkus, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Genest J, Mora S, Libby P. Lipoprotein disorders and cardiovascular disease. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli GF, Bhatt DL, Solomon SD, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 27.
Robinson JG. Disorders of lipid metabolism. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 190.