Dyslipidemia resident survival guide

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:

Causes

Secondary causes of dyslipidemia may cause either an increase in total-cholesterol & low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) or an increase in total triglycerides & very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C). Common causes are listed below.

Increase in Total Cholesterol and LDL-C

• Hypothyroidism
• Nephrosis
• Dysgammaglobulinemia (systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple myeloma)
• Cholestatic hepatic diseases due to abnormal lipoproteins (e.g. primary biliary cirrhosis)
• Administration of protease inhibitors (treatment for HIV infection)
• Administration of progestin or anabolic steroids

Increase in Total Triglycerides and VLDL-C

• Chronic kidney disease
• Type 2 diabetes mellitus
• Obesity
• Excessive alcohol intake
• Hypothyroidism
• Administration of anti-hypertensive therapy (thiazide diuretics or B-blockers)
• Administration of corticosteroids
• Severe stress that increases endogenous corticosteroid concentration
• Elevated concentrations of estrogen (administration of oral (not transdermal) estrogen therapy, oral contraceptives, or pregnancy)
• Administration of protease inhibitors (treatment for HIV infection)

To view a comprehensive list of dyslipidemia causes, click here