Generally, when high cholesterol is mentioned, it is thought that we are talking about a single type of problem, but in fact, there can be different types of disorders related to body fats (lipid). Imbalances in body fat put people in a serious risk group for atherosclerosis and therefore cardiovascular diseases. Atherosclerosis is the medical term for the condition in which blood flow is blocked and vascular occlusion occurs due to the accumulation of fat and cholesterol deposits in the arteries. Knowing the types of lipid disorders is very important in order to choose the right treatment approach. The main lipid disorders can be summarized as follows:

1- Dyslipidemia: Indicates that lipoprotein levels are not normal. Lipoproteins are divided into LDL and HDL. LDL, also known as bad cholesterol, is the protein structure that transports cholesterol from the liver to the tissues. HDL is known as good cholesterol and collects cholesterol outside the liver and takes it to the liver. Increased LDL level or low HDL level can cause cardiovascular diseases. For the diagnosis of dyslipidemia, the LDL level must be above 130 mg/dl and/or the HDL level must be below 40 mg/dl.

2- hyperlipidemia: It means that the level of body fats increases. An increase in both total cholesterol level, triglyceride and LDL levels is observed. Total cholesterol is observed above 200 mg/dl, LDL above 130 mg/dl, and triglyceride levels above 200 mg/dl.

3- hypercholesterolemia: It is the situation where the total cholesterol level is higher than 200 mg/dl. It is a term used only when an increase in total cholesterol level is observed.

4- Hypertriglyceridemia: It means increased triglyceride level. The ideal level of triglyceride level is below 150 mg/dl. A triglyceride level between 150-200 mg/dl is considered above the limit, and a triglyceride level above 200 mg/dl is considered high.

Imbalances in body fat, total cholesterol level above 200 mg/dl, LDL level above 130 mg/dl, triglyceride level above 200 mg/dl and HDL level below 40 mg/dl are serious risk factors for the formation of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is the main cause of cardiovascular diseases.

Dünya çapında, nüfusun %40’ının yüksek kolesterol problemi olduğu bilinmektedir. Ülkemizde bu rakam, beslenme alışkanlıklarımızla alakalı olarak daha da yüksek bir seviyededir. Ülkemizde sıklıkla görülen kalp krizlerinin de temel nedenlerinden biri budur.

The main factors that may contribute to an imbalance in body lipids can be listed as follows:

- Obesity
– Diabetes
– Physical inactivity
– Alcoholism
– Hypothyroid
– Kidney disease
– Liver disease
– Drug use (Birth control pills, high-dose diuretic pills, metoprolol)

Lipid disorders usually do not cause symptoms at an early stage. They manifest themselves by causing cardiovascular problems through atherosclerosis.

In some cases, they can manifest themselves as nodular lipid deposits on the skin, palms or tendons:

It can manifest itself as yellow nodules around the eyes, also known as zanthalesma, at the upper level of the eyelid, near the side of the nose:

Diagnosing lipid disorders is possible with laboratory analysis. For this, it is sufficient to take blood on an empty stomach in the morning to check the body lipid profile. Checking total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglyceride levels will give us the body lipid profile. The table below shows ideal and pathological lipid levels:

If, as a result of the examinations, it is observed that there is a problem with fat metabolism and body lipid levels are found to be not at the desired level, patients must be analyzed for cardiovascular risks.

If the patient does not have serious risk factors, lipid levels should be tried to be regulated with lifestyle changes in the first stage. Small changes in eating and drinking habits and short exercises that can be done without straining the person are the methods that should be considered first. If there are serious cardiovascular problems such as heart attack and stroke in the family or in the patient himself, or if the patient himself has hypertension, diabetes, smoking, vascular disease (conditions such as peripheral artery disease, varicose veins), then lifestyle changes and lipid changes should be made. It is very important to start using lowering medication.

The dosage of statin group drugs to be given is decided by evaluating the person's lipid profile and his and his family's medical history.

Lipid disorders are a group of diseases that are silent and life-threatening. That's why getting periodic check-ups can be lifesaving.