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Familial dysbetalipoproteinemia

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Type III hyperlipoproteinemia; Deficient or defective apolipoprotein E

Treatment:

The goal of treatment is to control underlying conditions such as obesity, hypothyroidism, and diabetes, which can make dysbetalipoproteinemia appear in persons who would otherwise not have the condition.

Reducing calories, saturated fats , and cholesterol may significantly reduce cholesterol levels.

If high cholesterol and triglyceride levels continue despite diet changes, your doctor may recommend medicine to lower your cholesterol. Medicine to lower cholesterol include:

• Bile acid-sequestering resins
• Fibrates
• Nicotinic acid
• Statins

Expectations (prognosis):

Individuals with this form of hyperlipidemia have a significantly increased risk for coronary artery disease. With treatment, most people show a significant reduction in lipid levels.

Complications:

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Intermittent claudication
• Gangrene of the lower extremities

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if symptoms worsen, do not improve with treatment, or new symptoms develop. Call a genetic counselor if there is a family history of dysbetalipoproteinemia.

• Review Date: 5/16/2007
• Reviewed By: Brian Kirmse, MD, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Department of Human Genetics, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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