Type III hyperlipoproteinemia; Deficient or defective apolipoprotein E

Symptoms may not be seen until age 20 or older.

Yellow deposits of fatty material in the skin called xanthomas may appear on the eyelids, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, or on the tendons of the knees and elbows.

Atherosclerosis develops at an early age. There may be early chest pain (angina) or decreased blood flow to specific parts of the body, causing transient ischemic attacks of the brain or peripheral artery disease with claudication.

Tests that may be done to diagnose this condition include:

• Angiogram
• Genetic testing for apolipoprotein E (apoE)
• Heart stress test
• Total cholesterol
• Triglyceride level
• Very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) test

Images

Coronary artery disease

Previous Section

Familial dysbetalipoproteinemia Overview

Next Section

Familial dysbetalipoproteinemia Treatment

Review Date: 05/23/2010
Reviewed By: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., and David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)