Hypolipoproteinemia

Lipid Disorders Main Page
Overview
Causes
Classification Abetalipoproteinemia Hypobetalipoproteinemia Familial hypoalphalipoproteinemia LCAT Deficiency Chylomicron retention disease Tangier disease Familial combined hypolipidemia
Differential Diagnosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Mohamed Moubarak, M.D. [2]; Aravind Kuchkuntla, M.B.B.S[3]; Tarek Nafee, M.D. [4]

Synonyms and keywords: Hypolipidemia, low lipoprotein

Overview

Hypolipoproteinemia is defined as low levels of one or more type of lipoproteins. Hypolipidemia, a commonly used term in the clinical practice, describes low level of lipids, whether cholesterol or triglycerides. They are referred to as hypocholesterolemia and hypotriglyceridemia respectively. Despite being commonly used to describe abnormalities in lipid metabolism, the term hypolipidemia is not very specific. For instance, people who have metabolic syndrome have high LDL and low HDL and yet they are described to have hyperlipidemia when their HDL level is decreased. Moreover, some people who have low levels of a specific lipoprotein may have a normal measured total cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Classification

Shown below is an algorithm depicting the classification of hypolipoproteinemia into primary and secondary.

Hypolipoproteinemia

Primary (Genetic)

Secondary

Abetalipoproteinemia Apolipoprotein 1 deficiency Chylomicron retention disease Familial combined hypolipidemia Hypobetalipoproteinemia LCAT deficiency Primary alphalipoproteinemia PCSK9 deficiency Tangier disease

Anemia Criticial illness Chronic inflammation Chronic liver disease Hyperthyroidism Infection Malabsorption Malignancy