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Published on: February 13, 2018
A case of severe neuropathy associated with hypertriglyceridemia
Runhua Hou1, Anne Carol Goldberg, Garry Stuart Tobin
1Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA. runhua.hou@gmail.com
Summary
Severe neuropathy can be caused by very high triglyceride levels (hypertriglyceridemia). Promptly managing hypertriglyceridemia is crucial to prevent nerve damage and its serious complications.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Disorders
Background:
- Hypertriglyceridemia is a metabolic condition characterized by elevated triglyceride levels in the blood.
- Severe hypertriglyceridemia can lead to acute pancreatitis and other complications.
- The association between hypertriglyceridemia and neuropathy is less commonly recognized but significant.
Observation:
- A 45-year-old woman presented with severe peripheral neuropathy and recurrent abdominal pain.
- Laboratory findings revealed markedly elevated triglyceride levels (>10,000 mg/dL) and elevated lipase, indicating hypertriglyceridemia-induced pancreatitis.
- Extensive workup excluded other common causes of neuropathy, including autoimmune, infectious, and metabolic derangements.
Findings:
- The patient's severe neuropathy was attributed to hypertriglyceridemia in the absence of other identifiable etiologies.
- This case highlights a potential neurological complication of severe hypertriglyceridemia.
- Peripheral nerve conduction abnormalities may occur even with milder hypertriglyceridemia, sometimes asymptomatically.
Implications:
- Early identification and aggressive management of hypertriglyceridemia are essential to prevent severe neurological complications.
- This case underscores the importance of considering hypertriglyceridemia as a cause of neuropathy.
- Neurologists and endocrinologists should be aware of this association for timely diagnosis and intervention.
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