Is a triglyceride level of 17+ serious?
Disease description:
A few months ago, I went for a medical checkup, and both total cholesterol and triglycerides were normal. I went for a follow-up examination today, and my triglyceride level is now over 17. Is this serious?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Tian Hongbo
A triglyceride level of over 17 mmol/L represents a very severe abnormality in blood lipid levels.
Under normal circumstances, fasting serum triglyceride levels should fall between 0.56-1.7 mmol/L. When triglyceride levels reach over 17, this is considered extremely elevated, far exceeding the normal range and classified as severe hyperlipidemia. This condition can easily trigger various complications, such as acute pancreatitis and cerebral infarction, which are serious and potentially life-threatening diseases. Patients may also experience symptoms including fatigue and dizziness.
Facing such a high triglyceride level, patients are advised to seek immediate medical attention at a hospital and undergo pharmacological lipid-lowering treatment under a doctor's guidance, such as using medications like bezafibrate, fenofibrate, or niacin. At the same time, patients should also adjust their diet by reducing the intake of high-fat and high-calorie foods, increasing dietary fiber intake, and engaging in appropriate physical exercise to control blood lipid levels and prevent complications.
