Lipid disorder involves a range of conditions that causes abnormal changes in lipids or fats.
These fats are low-density lipoproteins or LDLs or bad cholesterol and fatty acids, which are also called triglycerides. There are High-density lipoproteins or HDLs, too, which is called good cholesterol.
What is a lipid disorder?
A lipid disorder is a soaring level of LDLs and triglycerides. HDLs are good cholesterol as they help in exiting the bad cholesterol out of the body.
Due to the build-up of LDLs and triglycerides, the fatty materials get collected in the body’s tissues creating serious consequences for health. As per American Academy for Family Physicians, 1 in 3 adults in the US has a high LDL level.
Symptoms of lipid disorder
A person may have no symptoms of a lipid disorder. However, they may experience serious health problems like a stroke or heart attack. Some people experience the following symptoms:
- Yellow and fatty bumps on the skin
- white arcs around the cornea of the eye
- Yellow lumps at the inner eyes
Causes of lipid disorder
Lipid disorders are caused by genetics, lifestyle, and health conditions. Consuming foods that are high in saturated fats can cause high blood cholesterol and triglycerides. Other reasons may be:
- Smoking
- physically inactive
- overweight or obesity
- drinking too much alcohol
- certain medications
- Medical conditions and underlying health conditions like diabetes, hypothyroidism, kidney disease, etc.
Diagnosis – lipid disorder
A blood test called a lipid profile is done to diagnose a lipid disorder. This measures the levels of cholesterol, LDLs, HDLs, triglycerides, etc.
If a blood test shows increased cholesterol, a doctor may order a few other tests like thyroid or liver tests.
Treatment
Lipid Disorders Treatment depends on cholesterol levels, age, underlying health conditions, etc. A doctor suggests lifestyle changes to lower high cholesterol. These changes like:
- reducing tobacco
- Cutting saturated and trans fats
- Eating more healthily food like fish, brown rice, fruit, and vegetables
- Regular moderate exercise to lose weight.
- cutting down on alcohol
- Medication may also be suggested to lower cholesterol levels along with lifestyle changes.
Lipid disorders are quite a common disease. A healthy diet can help reduce cholesterol. Connect with Best Endocrinologist to know more.
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