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Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol. 17, No. 5, 458-461 (1998)
Published by the American College of Nutrition

Insulin Therapy for a Non-Diabetic Patient with Severe Hypertriglyceridemia

Muhammad A. Jabbar, MD, FACN, Mohammed I. Zuhri-Yafi, MD and Jennifer Larrea, RN

Department of Pediatrics, Hurley Medical Center-Michigan State University, Flint, Michigan

Address reprint requests to: Muhammad A. Jabbar, MD, FACN, Department of Pediatrics, Hurley Medical Center, 1 Hurley Plaza, Flint, MI 48502

Objective: To compare the short and long term effectiveness of fish oil, insulin, and gemfibrozil in a non-diabetic patient with severe hypertriglyceridemia.

Method: An adolescent male with hypertriglyceridemia (triglyceride level 4575 mg/dl) and abdominal pain was treated with the goal of immediate reduction and maintenance of triglyceride (TG) level below 1000 mg/dl. Fish oil, insulin and gemfibrozil were administered sequentially, in separate time blocks, for a duration of 3, 6, and 6 months, respectively.

Results: Fish oil took several weeks to lower TG level, and patient compliance during 3 months of therapy was inadequate. Insulin was effective in immediately lowering the TG level, but was unable to maintain the level below 1000 mg/dl. Gemfibrozil was ineffective in achieving the immediate reduction of TG level; however, it was adequate in maintaining the desired level in the long-term and patient compliance was better than with the fish oil.

Conclusion: In patients with risk of pancreatitis due to severe hypertriglyceridemia, immediate reduction of the triglyceride level is achievable by using a single dose of regular insulin (0.1 unit/kg, subcutaneous) while long-term maintenance therapy can be provided by gemfibrozil.

Key words: hypertriglyceridemia, fish oil, insulin, gemfibrozil






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