High triglyceride levels, medically known as hypertriglyceridemia, often occurs in conjunction with elevated cholesterol levels, although cholesterol and triglycerides are separate types of lipids, or fats. High triglyceride levels, like high cholesterol, may increase the risk of developing heart disease. Normal cholesterol levels fall below 150 milligrams per deciliter, or mg/dL. Borderline levels range between 150 and 199 mg/dL and high levels fall between 200 and 499 mg/dL, with levels over 500 mg/dL considered very high. Hypertriglyceridemia generally doesn't cause any symptoms unless levels become very high, and some signs can only be detected by medical personnel.
Xanthomas
Xanthomas, yellowish fatty deposits in the immune cells in the skin, may develop if triglyceride climbs to high levels. Xanthomas most often occur on the eyelids and around the eyes, DermNetNZ explains. Xanthomas in this area, called xanthalasma palpebrum, often but not always develop due to high triglyceride levels. Tuberous xanthomas, reddish-yellow nodules, or firm bumps that develop around pressure points such as elbows, knees, heel and buttocks, most often occur in people with high lipid levels. Tendinous xanthomas develop around tendons and ligaments, mostly in the feet, hands and around the Achilles tendon.
Eruptive xanthomas, tender, itchy, small red bumps that develop on the buttocks, extremities and shoulders, often occur in people with hypertriglyceridemia and diabetes. Plane xanthomas, flat patches that can occur anywhere on the body, are associated with increased lipid levels. Lesions on the palm of the hands occur most frequently with type III dysbetalipoproteinaemia, a specific type of lipid disorder.
Lipemia Retinalis
If triglyceride levels rise above 4,000 mg/dL, your doctor may diagnose lipemia retinalis during an eye exam. A rare condition, lipemia retinalis cause the blood vessels of the retina to appear a pinkish color during an eye exam that looks at the back of your eye, the retina, pharmacist Mary Lee states in her 2009 manual, "Basic Skills in Interpreting Lab Data." This finding warrants immediate medical intervention to lower triglyceride levels, because lipemia retinalis increases the risk of clot formation in blood vessels.
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis, inflammation of the pancreas, an organ in the upper abdomen behind the stomach, can occur as a result of high triglycerides. The pancreas aids in food digestion by producing enzymes that break down food and also produces insulin, which helps control blood sugar. Triglyceride levels over 1,000 mg/dL can cause pancreatitis, author and radiologist Abhijit Sunnapwar of the University of Texas Health Science Center reports in a July 2010 article published in "American Journal of Roentgenology."
Enlarged Spleen
The spleen, an organ on the left side of the body, stores blood cells and functions as part of your immune system. If you have high triglyceride levels, the spleen may enlarge. While you won't notice this, your doctor can feel it during an abdominal examination.
