Dyslipidemia associated with heavy alcohol use

Alcohol has many effects on lipid metabolism and has been associated with elevated triglycerides. The purpose of this paper is to report a case of globally dysregulated lipids secondary to alcohol use and to describe the natural history of this phenomenon after drinking cessation.

We present a case of an otherwise healthy patient (N = 1) who was admitted to our facility for alcohol detoxification and found to have extreme lipid dysregulation. He was treated with benzodiazepines for alcohol withdrawal but no hypolipidemic agents were given.

Lipid indices self-corrected and were found to be normal following just several weeks of sobriety in the absence of treatment with any hypolipidemic agents.

The literature regarding the effects of alcohol on lipid metabolism is briefly reviewed followed by a discussion of how these findings might apply to this patient in particular as well as implications for broader clinical practice.

Alcohol has the ability to dysregulate several lipid indices in addition to elevating triglycerides. The rapid resolution of dyslipidemia suggests that additional treatment may not be necessary for patients who are able to abstain from alcohol but that hypolipidemic agents may be indicated for those patients who continue to drink. Additionally, clinicians should consider checking lipid panels in patients who present with alcohol intoxication and are found to have other laboratory abnormalites or those who have risk factors for hyperlipidemia.