Hypertriglyceridemia differential diagnosis


 * Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S. [mailto:psingh@perfuse.org]

Overview
Hypertriglyceridemia should be differentiated from other conditions which may present similarly and give abnormal lipid tests like diabetes, renal failure, liver disease, hypothyroidism and use of certain drugs.

Differential diagnosis

 * Diabetes - Polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, weight loss, retinopathy and neuropathy may be present.
 * Liver disease - Spider angioma or jaundice (stigmata of chronic liver disease)
 * Hypothyroidism - Weight gain, sluggishness, dry hair/skin
 * Renal failure - Pruritus, elevated BUN and creatinine
 * Medications - estrogens, retinoic acid, hydrochlorothiazide, beta-blockers and antiretroviral therapy (lipodystrophy)