High Fats in the Blood

hyperlipidemia: high cholesterol or triglycerides levels

An illustration of a woman showing the effects of high blood fats on health, including elevated lipid levels in the blood, a heart, and blood vessels with a focus on LDL and triglycerides. The image explains how high fats can lead to blocked arteries and health risks like coronary artery disease or stroke.

When do high fats in the blood start and how long does it last?

Timeline infographic showing high fats in blood starting 15 days after treatment begins, lasting for 15 months, with a week-by-week calendar from week 1 to week 30.

How serious is high fats in the blood?

The severity most often experienced is grade 1 or 2 but grade 3 or 4 are possible

How likely is it that I will experience high fats in the blood?

Illustration comparing three medications: Lorlatinib, Alectinib, and Crizotinib. Lorlatinib bottle filled with pills, with 83% of people requiring lipid-lowering therapy. Alectinib bottle labeled 'NA,' indicating high blood fats are uncommon. Crizotinib bottle filled with pills, with 5% of people experiencing high blood fats.

Prevention Strategies

blood vial with magnifying glass

  • Your healthcare team will monitor blood fat levels including serum cholesterol and triglyceride.

    Blood fat levels should be checked:

    • Before starting lorlatinib

    • At week 2, week 4, and week 8

    • Periodically after week 8

    Why: Detecting fat increases early allow for early intervention and decreases risk for other complications.

black man with apple, heart, and weight.

  • Lifestyle modification can help to reduce increases in blood fats:

    • Reduce dietary fat consumption such as fatty meat or snacks that have trans fats on the label.

    • start light exercise including walking, yoga, and swimming.

    • Manage stress when possible: get enough sleep, ask for help when possible, try meditation.

    Why: blood fat management reduces risk early and may reduce the amount blood fat levels increase due to medication.

heart with plus sign

  • This is particularly important for patients with a history of cardiovascular disease.

    A cardiovascular consultation can help by:

    • Establishing a goal for ideal cholesterol levels.

    • Checking heart rate, blood pressure, and ECG at baseline.

      • Heart rate should be checked at follow up appointments.

    Why: high cholesterol or triglyceride levels can have an impact on heart function so a cardiologist can help monitor blood fat levels and heart function.

Management Strategies

lipid lowering medication pill bottle

  • Talk to your healthcare team about lipid lowering medications if blood fat levels are mild or severe.

    Always take medication as prescribed by your healthcare practitioner.

doctor holding a pause button

  • If blood fat levels are severely high, your healthcare team may pause ALKi’s until your blood fat levels return to moderate or mild.

    You may also have to increase or change to a new lipid lowering therapy.

    Always take medication as prescribed by your healthcare practitioner.

doctor holding an arrow down

  • If severe hypercholesterolemia or hypertriglyceridemia happens multiple times and you are on blood fat lowering therapy, your healthcare team may reduce your ALKi dose.

    Always take medication as prescribed by your healthcare practitioner.

Emergent Symptoms

If you are unsure, it is always safer to seek medical care.
Tell emergency staff you are on an ALK inhibitor for lung cancer.

phone

Call a Healthcare Provider

Call your care team

  • New or worsening abdominal discomfort

  • Ongoing nausea or loss of appetite

  • Unusual fatigue

  • Yellowing of the skin or eyes

  • Changes in blood test results (if told by your care team)

ambulance

Visit an Emergency Room

Call 911 or drive to your closest emergency room

Possible heart attack

  • Chest pressure, pain, or heaviness

  • Pain spreading to the neck, jaw, shoulder, arm, or back

  • Sweating

  • Nausea

  • Lightheadedness or fainting

  • Shortness of breath

Possible stroke (F.A.S.T.)

  • F: face drooping

  • A: arm weakness or numbness

  • S: slurred or hard-to-understand speech

  • T: time- act fast and call 911

Possible pancreatitis

  • Severe stomach or upper abdominal pain (may spread to the back)

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Fever

  • Fast heartbeat

  • Fast or shallow breathing

These symptoms can happen when triglycerides become very high.

Download High Fats in the Blood Info Sheet
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