What is a key indication for starting a fibrate treatment?

Fibrates are primarily indicated for the treatment of elevated triglyceride levels, particularly when they exceed 500 mg/dL. This is important because extremely high triglyceride levels can lead to pancreatitis, a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. Fibrates work by reducing triglyceride levels and can also have a modest impact on increasing HDL (the "good" cholesterol) levels.

While elevated LDL levels, low HDL levels, and high blood pressure represent significant health concerns, they are not primary indications for fibrate therapy. Elevated LDL levels are typically addressed through statins, low HDL levels may be managed with lifestyle changes and other classes of lipid-lowering agents, and high blood pressure is treated with antihypertensive medications rather than lipid-lowering agents. Therefore, the starting point for fibrate treatment is specifically aimed at reducing extremely high triglyceride levels to prevent complications like pancreatitis.