Hypolipoproteinemia
Overview
Hypolipoproteinemia is defined as a lack of lipoprotein in the blood due to genetic or other diseases such as malnutrition and malabsorption.
Symptoms
Symptoms are associated more closely with the cause rather than the actual low blood fats.
Causes
As with all medical conditions, there may be many causal factors. Further relevant information on causes of Hypolipoproteinemia may be found in: Hidden causes of Hypolipoproteinemia
Diagnosis
Blood studies of the various fat particles help identify both the low and high fat diseases. These tests are often done after an overnight fast to prevent interference from fat just being absorbed from food. Fats and proteins are grouped together and described by density-high-density lipoproteins (HDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL). There are also much bigger particles called chylomicrons. Each contain different proportions of cholesterol, fats, and protein
Treatment
Supplemental vitamin E helps children with the betalipoprotein deficiencies. There is no known treatment for Tangier disease. Treatment of the causes of the other forms of low blood fats reverses the condition.