Meaning of Dyslipidemia

What is dyslipidemia?

Dyslipidemia is a condition where the combination of particles that transport lipids in the blood Cholesterol·triglycerides A combination of numbers that is associated with health risks. This includes cases where LDL cholesterol is high, HDL cholesterol is low, or triglycerides are high.

Since lipids are components necessary for the body, it does not mean that 'having fat in the blood is a disease.' The type, concentration, and the individual's overall risk are evaluated together.

Is it the same as hyperlipidemia?

Hyperlipidemia is widely used to mean that lipids in the blood are high. Dyslipidemia is a broader term that includes patterns that cannot be explained simply as 'high,' such as low HDL, in addition to high LDL and triglycerides.

Dyslipidemia is frequently used as the standard disease name in health checkup reports and medical records. There is no need to mistake the two terms for completely different diseases, but it is important to identify which specific item is the problem.

How is it different from cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a substance necessary for creating cell membranes, hormones, and bile acids, while dyslipidemia is the name of a condition describing blood test patterns and health risks. Cholesterol itself is not the name of a disease.

The amount of cholesterol in food is not directly converted to the same value as blood LDL levels. Liver production and processing, genetics, and various lifestyle and disease factors are all involved.

What are LDL and HDL?

LDL and HDL are types of lipoproteins that transport cholesterol in the blood. LDL cholesterol is important for assessing the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and setting treatment goals, while low HDL cholesterol is epidemiologically associated with risk.

Their functions are not simplified solely by the nicknames 'bad fat' and 'good fat.' Actions that unconditionally increase HDL do not necessarily mean that risk is reduced.

Why are triglycerides measured separately?

Triglycerides are lipids that store and transport energy, and they can be influenced by recent meals, alcohol consumption, blood sugar regulation, and changes in weight. Very high triglycerides are also associated with the risk of pancreatitis and may present different safety concerns than LDL.

In the same person, LDL and triglyceride abnormalities may occur together or appear in different directions. The four items of the lipid panel are viewed as a single set.

Can I just look at total cholesterol?

Total cholesterol is the sum of cholesterol carried by various lipoproteins, which can hide the specific composition of LDL and HDL. Even if the total value is similar, the combination of LDL, HDL, and triglycerides, as well as individual risk, can differ.

Values such as non-HDL cholesterol, which is total cholesterol minus HDL, are also utilized. We do not view a single number as a simple pass or fail, but instead review the entire test report.

Is a fasting test absolutely necessary?

Depending on the situation, non-fasting lipid tests can be used for screening and risk assessment. However, if triglycerides are high or if specific calculations and cause evaluations are required, medical staff may recommend a follow-up fasting test.

To compare with previous results, we record the fasting duration, recent alcohol consumption or overeating, acute illnesses, and any changes in medication. We do not conclude that numbers under different conditions are a direct result of lifestyle changes.

Are there any symptoms?

Most cases of dyslipidemia have no distinct symptoms. Lipid levels cannot be estimated by dizziness, headache, or fatigue alone, nor can the absence of symptoms be seen as a sign of normal levels.

In very high hereditary lipid disorders, xanthomas on the skin or tendons may appear, but this is uncommon. Generally, it is discovered through blood tests and by checking family history.

What is the relationship with body weight?

Increased abdominal fat, insulin resistanceand lack of physical activity may be associated with a pattern of high triglycerides and low HDL. Metabolic Syndromemay also appear as components of the composition.

However, LDL can be high even in those with a normal weight, and hereditary diseases cannot be explained by lifestyle alone. We do not predict lipid results based on body type or attribute them solely to individual responsibility.

Which items change if I lose weight?

For individuals who are overweight, sustainable weight loss and regular activity can help improve triglycerides, HDL, and blood glucose.blood pressure The response of LDL varies greatly by individual depending on dietary composition, genetics, and medication.

We cannot promise that all values will automatically normalize simply by losing weight. We track lipid tests under the same conditions along with overall cardiovascular risk.

What are the criteria for meals?

saturated fatand trans fats, dietary fiberas well as total energy intake, refined carbohydrates, and alcohol consumption. Recurring dietary patterns are more important than the cholesterol number of a specific food.

The focus may differ between cases where triglycerides are high and cases where LDL is the primary concern. Before starting an extreme low-fat or high-fat diet, verify your current test patterns and the sustainability of the diet.

Can other diseases or medications be the cause?

hypothyroidism, uncontrolled diabetes, liver or kidney disease, and excessive alcohol consumption can affect lipid levels. Steroids, and some hormone, mental health, or immune-related medications can also be causes.

If your levels have changed, do not stop medication arbitrarily; instead, inform your medical staff of the start or change dates. We identify secondary causes before narrowing the reason down to lifestyle alone.

Is risk determined by a single value?

The need for individual treatment is determined by considering not only LDL levels but also age, blood pressure, smoking status, diabetes, a family history of early cardiovascular disease, and whether cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease is already present. Target levels may differ even for the same LDL value.

Do not stop taking medication simply by confirming a 'normal' result on an online table, nor should you conclude a lifelong risk based on a single high result. We use repeated results and risk stratification.

What should I disclose during a Baekrok Gambi-jeong consultation?

Please provide your most recent original lipid test results, whether you were fasting, past trends, and the name and dosage of your lipid medication. Also, share information regarding diabetes, thyroid, liver, or kidney disease, and any family history of early myocardial infarction or stroke, Liver function tests as well as the results.

Even if your levels improve during weight loss, do not reduce or stop lipid medication on your own. Consult the medical staff who originally prescribed the medication regarding any changes in dosage, and inform Baekrokdam of these changes.

Where can I find a detailed explanation of the condition?

This document serves as a glossary providing the term dyslipidemia and a basic framework for reading test tables. For cause evaluation and treatment by risk level, please refer to Baekrokdam Korean Medicine Clinic's Dyslipidemia Guideyou can find more details here.

After understanding the test terms here, you can further check the cause evaluation and medical process in the Baekrokdam Korean Medicine Clinic's disease guide.