Familial Hypertriglyceridemia
Alternate Names : Type IV Hyperlipoproteinemia
What are the treatments for the condition?
Someone with this disease should discuss treatment with a healthcare provider. This condition responds to diet changes. Affected people should eat a diet low in fat and cholesterol. Conditions that can raise triglycerides should be avoided or treated, such as:
poorly controlled diabetes
an underactive thyroid gland or hypothyroidism
obesity or being overweight
kidney disease
severe infection
alcohol abuse
To lower triglycerides, some people may need to take medications, such as:
gemfibrozil
fenofibrate
niacin
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Because the liver makes triglycerides, the medications used to treat this condition may affect the liver. For this reason, someone taking these medications often needs periodic liver function tests. Specific side effects vary by the medication and include:
flushing, itching, and increased blood sugar with niacin
muscle aches with gemfibrozil and fenofibrate
What happens after treatment for the condition?
Treatment is needed for life.
How is the condition monitored?
Blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides are measured on a regular basis to see how well treatment is working. Periodic liver function tests are often needed.
Pain in the abdomen or chest should be reported to the healthcare provider right away. This may be a sign of pancreatitis or a heart attack.
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