Being told that you have dyslipidemia can be scary. However, this broad term used to signify that you have one or more parameters on yourlipid profilethat may be too low or elevated. Luckily, depending on the types of lipids affected, there are many ways to treat this condition – ranging from taking medication to making a few changes in your lifestyle.

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Overview

Dyslipidemia is a medical condition that refers to an abnormal level of blood lipids.The most common type of dyslipidemia ishyperlipidemiaor high lipid levels. Another, less common form of dyslipidemia, hypolipidemia, refers to lipid levels that are abnormally low. Dyslipidemias can affect any lipid parameter, includingLDLcholesterol levels,HDLcholesterol levels,triglycerides, or a combination of these lipids.

When only cholesterol levels are high or low, this is referred to as hypercholesterolemia or hypocholesterolemia, respectively. Sometimes, these may also be called a hyperlipoproteinemia or hypolipoproteinemia. When triglycerides are only affected, this may be referred to as hypertriglyceridemia (high triglyceride levels) or hypotriglyceridemia (low triglyceride levels). Conversely, if an individual has both triglyceride and cholesterol levels affected, this is referred to as a “combined” or “mixed” dyslipidemia.

Hypercholesterolemia vs Hyperlipidemia: What Are the Differences?

Causes

There are many factors that can cause dyslipidemia—ranging from inherited disorders to your lifestyle. The causes of dyslipidemia can be divided into two main categories: primary or secondary dyslipidemia.

Signs and Symptoms

There is no true way of knowing whether or not you have a dyslipidemia – whether hyperlipidemia or hypolipidemia – unless you have a lipid panel performed. This involves having blood drawn at your healthcare provider’s office and having it analyzed for levels of LDL, HDL, and triglycerides. In rare cases of extremely high lipids, raised, yellowish bumps referred to as xanthomas may appear on the body.

Treatment

There are a variety of treatments and other measures available to address dyslipidemias.

Hypolipidemias are not treated unless they are severe, usually in some cases where the condition is inherited. In some of these cases, the diet is modified and certain fat-soluble vitamins may be administered.

The treatment of hyperlipidemias depends on the severity of the lipid elevation, as well as which types of lipids are affected. A cholesterol-lowering diet and lifestyle modifications are often recommended, and include smoking cessation, increasing exercise and addressing any medical conditions that may be causing the high lipid levels. In some cases,medications are also usedto lower your lipids and to decrease your risk of future heart disease.

4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.The Hormone Society.Dyslipidemia.García-Giustiniani D, Stein R.Genetics of dyslipidemia.Arq Bras Cardiol. 2016;106(5):434–438. doi:10.5935/abc.20160074Davidson MH.Hypolipidemia. Merck Manual Professional Version.MedlinePlus.Eruptive xanthomatosis.Additional ReadingFauci AS, Braunwald E, Kasper DL et al (eds). Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th edition. New York, McGraw Hill.

4 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.The Hormone Society.Dyslipidemia.García-Giustiniani D, Stein R.Genetics of dyslipidemia.Arq Bras Cardiol. 2016;106(5):434–438. doi:10.5935/abc.20160074Davidson MH.Hypolipidemia. Merck Manual Professional Version.MedlinePlus.Eruptive xanthomatosis.Additional ReadingFauci AS, Braunwald E, Kasper DL et al (eds). Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th edition. New York, McGraw Hill.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

The Hormone Society.Dyslipidemia.García-Giustiniani D, Stein R.Genetics of dyslipidemia.Arq Bras Cardiol. 2016;106(5):434–438. doi:10.5935/abc.20160074Davidson MH.Hypolipidemia. Merck Manual Professional Version.MedlinePlus.Eruptive xanthomatosis.

The Hormone Society.Dyslipidemia.

García-Giustiniani D, Stein R.Genetics of dyslipidemia.Arq Bras Cardiol. 2016;106(5):434–438. doi:10.5935/abc.20160074

Davidson MH.Hypolipidemia. Merck Manual Professional Version.

MedlinePlus.Eruptive xanthomatosis.

Fauci AS, Braunwald E, Kasper DL et al (eds). Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th edition. New York, McGraw Hill.

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