Subscribe to KnowYourTGs.com
Get exclusive, up-to-date access to helpful resources
What are triglycerides?
Triglycerides are a type of fat that the body uses as an important source of energy. 2,9
Our bodies package calorie sources from foods such as fat, sugar, and alcohol into triglycerides. Triglycerides then travel through the bloodstream for use or storage in other parts of the body. 9,10
What is severe hypertriglyceridemia (sHTG)?
Blood normally contains some level of triglycerides. But long periods of time with high triglycerides may cause health problems.
- Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is when triglyceride levels in the blood are too high for optimal health, typically above 150 mg/dL. 8
- Severe HTG (sHTG) is when triglyceride levels are very high, typically 500 mg/dL or above. 7
FCS is a rare, life-threatening disease that prevents the body from digesting fats. Consuming even a little fat can make someone with FCS ill. 8
Signs of FCS include:
- Extremely high triglycerides (greater than or equal to 880 mg/dL or 10 mmol/l).
- Blood that appears fatty or milky after it is drawn.
- Severe, sometimes daily, stomach pain which feels like its coming from the back. 8,34
- Acute pancreatitis.