A woman picking dandelions in a field
A woman picking dandelions in a field

Understand Acute Pancreatitis Risk

Continuing to do what you can to lower very high triglycerides (TGs) may help reduce your risk of acute pancreatitis.

Very high triglycerides may lead to acute pancreatitis

Triglyceride levels over 880 mg/dL while fasting may be a sign of an underlying medical condition.

Very high triglyceride levels could be a sign of Familial Chylomicronemia Syndrome (FCS). A person may be diagnosed with FCS as a baby or young child, but some people may not have symptoms until they are adults. People with FCS see an average of 5 doctors before they are finally diagnosed.

Whether caused by FCS or not, living with untreated very high triglyceride levels increases the risk of acute pancreatitis—a serious, potentially life-threatening condition often requiring hospitalization.

An increasing risk of acute pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis from high triglycerides is often more severe and deadlier than other causes of acute pancreatitis. Even one event can greatly increase the chance of another in the future. Repeated flares can damage the pancreas, leading to chronic pancreatitis and other serious life-threatening complications.

Acute Pancreatitis Risk

~17x

~14x

~3x

People with triglycerides >500 mg/dL are in an established acute pancreatitis risk danger zone.

~1.5x

Triglycerides(mg/dL)

Sources: 1. Grundy SM et al. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2019;73(24):e285-e350. 2. Handelsman Y et al. Endocr Pract. 2020;26(10):1196-1224. 3. Mszar R et al. J Clin Med. 2023;12(4):1382. 4. Sanchez RJ et al. Lipids Health Dis. 2021;20(1):72.

What is FCS?

Familial Chylomicronemia Syndrome icon
Familial Chylomicronemia Syndrome (FCS) is a rare disease that impacts what you can eat and how you feel.
FGS molecule
When you have FCS, your body has a problem breaking down triglycerides, a kind of fat that comes from the food you eat and is stored in chylomicrons.
Caution icon
Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is a protein that normally works to break down triglycerides from your blood. In people with FCS, LPL doesn’t work properly.
FCS icon
Triglycerides build up in your blood instead of breaking down, leading to very high triglyceride levels.

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People with FCS have triglyceride levels 10 to 100 times higher than normal. When your body has too many triglycerides in your blood, it can cause problems such as:

  • Acute pancreatitis
  • Enlarged liver and/or spleen
  • High blood pressure
  • Physical weakness
  • Fatigue
  • Nerve pain or numbness 
in your hands and feet
  • Diabetes
  • Bloating
  • Indigestion
  • Eating disorders
  • Problems thinking
  • Eye problems
  • Fatty lumps on your body

How old were you when you were diagnosed with FCS or very high triglycerides?

Please select your response. Your answer is confidential.

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This information will help shed light on the challenges faced by people living with very high triglycerides.

Hear from others living with FCS

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People living with FCS struggle with similar issues

Percent of people reporting the impact of an FCS restrictive diet on life:

Extremely time consuming

Energy draining

Ineffective at stopping all symptoms

Percent of people reporting that FCS has a negative impact on aspects of life:

Employment

Social relationships

Emotional and mental well-being

Result from an online, anonymous, quantitative survey of 166 people with FCS from 10 countries (Australia, Canada, Germany, India, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, and the United States). Results were patient reported. 

With FCS, meals may cause spikes in triglyceride levels

Triglycerides are a kind of fat that comes from the food you eat and are stored in chylomicrons. Just one meal may cause a spike in triglycerides that could sneak up on a person living with FCS and may cause acute pancreatitis.

OTHER RISK FACTORS THAT CAN CAUSE SPIKES IN TRIGLYCERIDES

In women, hormonal changes that can happen during pregnancy or from medications that have estrogen, like birth control, can increase triglyceride levels and the risk of experiencing symptoms and complications of FCS. For women with FCS, it is important to discuss all medications you take with your doctor.

MEDICATIONS AND CLINICAL CONSIDERATIONS THAT MAY INCREASE TRIGLYCERIDE LEVELS

Medications:
  • Estrogen-containing medications like birth control
  • Some medications used for high blood pressure
Clinical considerations:
  • Pregnancy
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Uncontrolled diabetes
  • Puberty and menopause

Chylomicrons and the risk of pancreatitis

Your body creates particles called chylomicrons from fat in your diet. Chylomicrons move triglycerides to where your body needs them.

A buildup of chylomicrons from dietary fat
A buildup of chylomicrons from dietary fat can overwhelm the body.
A representation of blood flow
The sudden rise in chylomicron levels may reduce blood flow and trigger inflammation.
Acute pancreatitis
High levels of chylomicrons in the blood may cause pancreatic inflammation and flares.

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We’ll get there [soon]

Traditional options may not work

For some people, traditional therapies and strict diets aren’t enough to lower triglyceride levels or risk of pancreatitis.

Learn more about managing TGs

Additional Support

Nutrition, exercise, and hydration are important for managing high triglycerides in your everyday life.

See 9 helpful ideas from experts