What it is
Dyslipidaemia means abnormal levels of fats (lipids) in the blood. It includes high LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, high triglycerides and low HDL (“good”) cholesterol.
Over time, excess cholesterol builds up in artery walls as plaque, narrowing them and raising the risk of heart attack and stroke. High triglycerides are common with diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome, and very high levels can cause pancreatitis.
Causes include diet, weight, inactivity and genes, as well as conditions such as diabetes, an underactive thyroid, kidney disease and some medicines.
Common symptoms
High cholesterol usually has no symptoms, so it's found with a blood test (a lipid profile). Rarely, very high inherited levels can cause:
- Yellowish deposits around the eyelids
- Firm lumps on tendons, such as at the back of the ankle or over the knuckles
- A pale ring around the coloured part of the eye at a young age
When to see a specialist
- A lipid profile shows high LDL cholesterol or triglycerides
- You have diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease or thyroid disease
- A close relative had a heart attack or stroke at a young age
- Your cholesterol stays high despite treatment
- Your triglycerides are very high
Treatment and management
- Assessing your overall heart risk, not just the cholesterol number
- Food and lifestyle: less saturated and trans fat, more fibre, regular activity and a healthy weight
- Cholesterol-lowering medicines, such as statins, when your risk or levels call for them
- Treating causes such as uncontrolled diabetes or an underactive thyroid
- Regular lipid tests to check the response to treatment
How an endocrinologist helps
Dr. Marium Zaman checks for secondary causes such as diabetes and thyroid disease, estimates your cardiovascular risk and recommends a plan with clear targets. Because blood fats are closely tied to hormones and metabolism, they're managed alongside related conditions.
