familial lipid disorders
overview
a familial lipid disorder is a condition that runs in families. it causes very high levels of cholesterol. this condition can cause a person to get coronary artery disease while still young.
familial lipid disorders are not common. your doctor may look at cholesterol levels and family history to check if you or your child might have a disorder. for example, your doctor may check for:
- very high cholesterol levels. for example, ldl cholesterol might be 4.0 mmol/l or more for a child or 4.5 mmol/l or more for an adult.footnote 1
- a family history of high cholesterol.
- a family history of early coronary artery disease.
- certain results from a physical exam. these results include xanthomas, a skin condition in which small bumps of fat appear under the skin.
types of familial lipid disorders
there are different types of familial lipid disorders. they include:
- familial combined hyperlipidemia (fchl).
- high total cholesterol
- high ldl cholesterol
- high triglycerides
- high apolipoprotein b
- familial defective apolipoprotein b-100.
- high ldl cholesterol
- familial dysbetalipoproteinemia (type 3 hyperlipoproteinemia).
- high total cholesterol and high triglyceride levels
- familial hypercholesterolemia.
- high ldl cholesterol
credits
current as of: june 24, 2023
author: healthwise staff
clinical review board
all healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
current as of: june 24, 2023
author: healthwise staff
clinical review board
all healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
brunham lr, et al. (2018). canadian cardiovascular society position statement on familial hypercholesterolemia: update 2018. canadian journal of cardiology, 34(12): 1553–1563. doi: 10.1016/j.cjca.2018.09.005. accessed december 10, 2018.
