Cholesterol Management Health Center
High Triglycerides - Symptoms
High triglycerides by themselves do not cause symptoms. If your high triglycerides are caused by a genetic condition, you may have visible fatty deposits under the skin called xanthomas.
In rare cases, people who have very high triglyceride levels may develop inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), which can cause sudden, severe abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, and fever.
Triglycerides are categorized as follows:
| Normal | Less than 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) |
|---|---|
| Borderline-high | 150 to 199 mg/dL |
| High | 200 to 499 mg/dL |
| Very high | 500 mg/dL or higher |
If you have high triglycerides, you may also have high cholesterol. In many cases, people don't know that they have high triglycerides until they have a blood test called a lipoprotein analysis to check their cholesterol levels.
If your triglyceride levels are high, your doctor will also check for and treat other associated conditions that may be linked to high triglycerides. These conditions include diabetes, hypothyroidism, kidney disease, and metabolic syndrome.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
High Triglycerides Topics
Most Popular
WebMD Special Sections
- High Cholesterol: Tips to Protect Yourself
- High-Risk Cholesterol: Fact or Fiction?
- Lower Cholesterol: Time to Consider Medication?
- Cholesterol Health Check
- Lower Cholesterol: Are You Doing Enough?
- 10 Tips for Good Cholesterol
- Your Cardiologist's Guide to a Healthy Heart
- Functional Foods for Heart Health
