Hyperlipidemia is a medical condition, in which abnormally high fats levels, such as triglycerides, cholesterol or both, occur in the blood.

Lipoprotein levels, especially LDL cholesterol, increases with age. Levels are usually higher in males than in females, but they begin to rise in females after menopause. Other factors which contribute to high levels of specific lipids, such as LDL and VLDL, include a family history of underactive thyroid gland, hyperlipidemia poorly controlled diabetes, cigarette smoking, obesity, moderate to high alcohol consumption, lack of exercises and high-fat diet.

Most total cholesterol and triglyceride increased levels are not severe and temporary, mainly caused by eating fats. A person’s body clears fat from the blood at various rates. One individual may eat large animal fats amount and never have rise of total cholesterol levels-more than 200mg/dL, while another individual may follow right low-fat diet and never have the drop of the total cholesterol under 260 mg/dL. Such differences are largerly related to rate differences, where lipoproteins entered and removed from blood and such differences seem in part to be genetically determined.

Generally, high levels of the fats result in  no symptoms. In some cases, when levels are significantly high, deposits of fat form the growths known as Xanthomas in the skin and tendons. Significantly high triglycerides levels (800mg/dL and higher) can result in severe abdominal pain (symptoms of pancreatitis) and spleen and liver enlargement. Blood sample to measure the level of the total cholesterol, may be obtained at any time. However, blood sample to measure triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol are best to be obtained at least twelve hours of fasting. Low cholesterol and saturated fat diet will lower LDL levels. Exercises may help increase HDL cholesterol blood levels and lower LDL cholesterol blood levels drinking small alcohol amount daily can lower the LDL cholesterol levels and increase the HDL cholesterol levels; although, using more than 2 drinks of alcohol may have the opposite effects.

Usually, the best treatment for people with Hyperlipidemia is to lose weight if they are overweight; increase exercise if needed; use lipid-lowering drugs; decrease the total amount of cholesterol and fat in their diet; and stop smoking. But, if fat blood levels are extremely high or do not respond to the treatment, the certain disorder must be identified with specific blood tests, so that appropriate treatment may be considered.

This entry was filed under Diseases and Conditions.

Tags: blood levels, blood sample, hdl cholesterol, ldl cholesterol levels, ldl levels, lipids, lipoproteins, low cholesterol, low fat diet, rate differences, triglycerides, xanthomas