Triglycerides
Raised triglycerides usually cause no symptoms, until they climb high enough to put the pancreas at risk, which is when they become an emergency.
Medically reviewed by the RIIMS medical team · Last updated: June 2026
Go to hospital now
- Severe abdominal pain, especially if triglycerides are known to be above 500 mg/dL: possible acute pancreatitis, go to hospital immediately
- Severe abdominal pain with vomiting and fever
See a doctor soon (not an emergency)
- A report showing triglycerides above 500 mg/dL, even without pain
- Triglycerides that remain high despite diet changes and medication
What do raised triglycerides mean?
Triglycerides are a type of fat carried in the blood, built mostly from the extra calories, sugar and alcohol the body does not use right away. Like cholesterol, a raised triglyceride level causes no symptoms in almost all cases and is found only on a blood test, usually taken after fasting. Indians as a population tend to run higher triglycerides and lower HDL than Western populations, even at a similar LDL cholesterol, so this marker deserves attention on its own rather than being read only alongside LDL. Moderately high triglycerides mainly add to overall cardiovascular risk, alongside blood pressure, LDL, HDL, diabetes and smoking. Very high triglycerides, generally above 500 mg/dL, are a different problem: at this level the risk of acute pancreatitis, sudden and severe inflammation of the pancreas, rises sharply, and medical guidelines recommend treatment specifically to bring the level down and protect the pancreas. Severe abdominal pain in someone known to have triglycerides this high is not something to wait out at home.
Symptoms to watch for
- No symptoms in almost all cases; found only on a fasting blood test
- Often found alongside high blood pressure, diabetes or a large waist
- Low HDL cholesterol on the same report, a common pairing in Indians
- No warning before a level high enough to affect the pancreas
- Severe abdominal pain if triglycerides are very high, which is an emergency and not a routine symptom
- Discovered incidentally during a routine health check
When to consult a doctor
Get a fasting lipid profile as part of routine screening, especially with diabetes, a large waist or a family history of high triglycerides. A report showing triglycerides above 500 mg/dL needs prompt medical attention even without symptoms; with severe abdominal pain, it needs emergency care.