Glossary for High Cholesterol

• Abetalipoproteinemia: A rare disorder involving abnormalities in fat metabolism. The resulting insufficiency of fats and vitamins affect the normal development and function of the body.
• Age-related macular degeneration: Deterioration of the central field of vision.
• Angina: A special type of chest pain.
• Anorexia Nervosa: A disorder where a distorted sense of body image leads to self-starvation to the point of death in some cases.
• Apo A-I deficiency: Low plasma HDL cholesterol that tends to run in families.
• Atherosclerosis: Atherosclerosis is a syndrome affecting arterial blood vessels. It is a chronic inflammatory response in the walls of arteries, in large part due to the accumulation of macrophage white blood cells and promoted by low density (especially small particle) lipoproteins (plasma proteins that carry cholesterol and triglycerides) without adequate removal of fats and cholesterol from the macrophages by functional high density lipoproteins (HDL). It is commonly referred to as a hardening or furring of the arteries. It is caused by the formation of multiple plaques within the arteries.
• Atorvastatin -- Teratogenic Agent: There is strong evidence to indicate that exposure to Atorvastatin during pregnancy may have a teratogenic effect on the fetus. A teratogen is a substance that can cause birth defects. The likelihood and severity of defects may be affected by the level of exposure and the stage of pregnancy that the exposure occurred at.
• Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome: A rare genetic disorder characterized by macroglossia, omphalocele, macrosomia and ear creases.
• Blood conditions: Conditions that affect the blood
• Broad beta disease: An inherited condition involving a defect in the transport of lipids which causes the development of lipid deposits (xanthomas) under the skin in certain parts of the body.
• Calcitriol -- Teratogenic Agent: There is strong evidence to indicate that exposure to Calcitriol during pregnancy may have a teratogenic effect on the fetus. A teratogen is a substance that can cause birth defects. The likelihood and severity of defects may be affected by the level of exposure and the stage of pregnancy that the exposure occurred at.
• Cancer: Abnormal overgrowth of body cells.
• Cardiovascular Disease: Diseases of the heart or blood vessels including cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke.
• Cerebral Arteriosclerosis: Hardening or blockage of arteries in the brain.
• Cholesterol metabolism conditions: Disorders affecting the metabolism of cholesterol or lipids.
• Cholestyramine -- Teratogenic Agent: There is evidence to indicate that exposure to Cholestyramine (cholesterol-lowering drug) during pregnancy may have a teratogenic effect on the fetus. A teratogen is a substance that can cause birth defects. The likelihood and severity of defects may be affected by the level of exposure and the stage of pregnancy that the exposure occurred at.
• Chromosome 14 uniparental disomy syndrome: A rare chromosomal disorder where two homologues are obtained from one parent.
• Chromosome 3, trisomy 3p: A rare chromosomal disorder where a portion of the short arm (p) of chromosome 3 is duplicated so there is three copies of it rather than the normal two.
• Chronic renal insufficiency: Chronic lack of function of the renal system. Kidneys.
• Corneal dystrophy crystalline of Schnyder: A rare disorder characterized by cloudy corneas believed to be due to abnormal lipid deposits in the corneas. A distinctive sign of the condition is the presence of a light-colored ring around the cornea due to abnormal lipid deposit (arcus juvenilis).
• Coronary heart disease: Disease affecting the heart's arteries (narrowed arteries)
• Cushing's syndrome: A rare syndrome where excessive secretion of corticosteroids by the adrenal cortex leads to a variety of symptoms. Hormone-secreting adrenal or pituitary tumors are often the cause of the excessive corticosteroid secretion.
• Deafness mesenteric diverticula of small bowel neuropathy: A rare genetic condition characterized by deafness, gastrointestinal abnormalities and neuropathy.
• Death: The cessation of life
• Defective apolipoprotein B-100: A rare inherited condition where defective apolipoprotein B-100 impairs the metabolism of cholesterol and results in high blood cholesterol which in turn increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Diabetes: Failing or reduced ability of the body to handle sugars.
• Dyslipidemia: Abnormal lipid levels in the blood which may manifest as high cholesterol, triglycerides or LDL and low HDL.
• Familial Apolipoprotein A-I and C-III Deficiency: Familial Apolipoprotein A-I and C-III Deficiency is a lipid metabolism disorder characterized by low HDL cholesterol and a lack of apolipoproteins A-I and C-III in the blood.
• Familial Apolipoprotein A-I, C-III, A-IV Deficiency: Familial Apolipoprotein A-I, C-III and A-IV Deficiency is a lipid metabolism disorder characterized by low HDL cholesterol and a lack of apolipoproteins A-I and C-III in the blood.
• Familial Dysbetalipoproteinemia: An hereditary condition characterized by the accumulation of abnormal B-lipoproteins in the blood
• Familial Hypercholesterolemia: A genetic abnormality which causes patients to have abnormally high cholesterol levels (low-density lipoproteins). The condition usually leads to early cardiovascular disease.
• Familial hyperchylomicronemia: A rare inherited inborn error of metabolism involving the absence of the enzyme called lipoprotein lipase which results in increased blood triglyeride and chylomicron levels.
• Familial isolated deficiency of vitamin E: A rare neurodegenerative disorder caused by an inherited condition where the body is unable to absorb vitamin E from the food consumed.
• Fowler-Christmas-Chapple syndrome: A rare syndrome characterized by the association of polycystic ovaries with the abnormal functioning of the urinary valve.
• Gemfibrozil -- Teratogenic Agent: There is evidence to indicate that exposure to Gemfibrozil during pregnancy may have a teratogenic effect on the fetus. A teratogen is a substance that can cause birth defects. The likelihood and severity of defects may be affected by the level of exposure and the stage of pregnancy that the exposure occurred at.
• Glycogen Storage Disease Type I: An inherited metabolic disorder where a deficiency of the enzyme glucose-6-phosphatase prevents glycogen being turned into glucose leading to a buildup of glycogen in the liver and kidneys. Most problems tend to develop during adulthood.
• Glycogenosis type 8: A mild glycogen storage disease which affects males only and involves a deficiency of the enzyme phosphorylase b-kinase.
• Groll-Hirschowitz syndrome: A rare genetic condition characterized by deafness, gastrointestinal abnormalities and neuropathy.
• Growth Hormone Receptor Deficiency: Laron syndrome is a rare genetic disease where the body has sufficient growth hormones but lacks receptors to utilize the hormone and hence dwarfism results. Type 1 involves a defect in the growth hormone receptor gene which prevents the hormone from binding and being used. Hence there are high levels of free growth hormone in the plasma. Type II involves a problem with the processing of the growth hormone once it has been bound properly to the cell surface.
• Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: Hashimoto thyroiditis is characterized by the destruction of thyroid cells by various cell- and antibody-mediated immune processes. Patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis have antibodies to various thyroid antigens, the most frequently detected of which include antithyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO), antithyroglobulin (anti-Tg), and, to a lesser extent, TSH receptor-blocking antibodies.
• Heart attack: Serious and often fatal acute heart condition
• Heart disease: Any of various heart conditions.
• Heart failure: Slow failure of the heart (cardiac insufficiency).
• Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia: Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia is an inherited condition involving abnormal lipid metabolism. Cholesterol levels tend to be with coronary artery disease usually developing before the age of 50. The heterozygous form of the condition is not as severe as the homozygous form of the disease.
• High triglycerides: A condition characterized by elevated triglycerides in the blood
• Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia: Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia is a severe inherited condition involving abnormal lipid metabolism. Cholesterol levels tend to be very high with problems occurring early in life. Death from a heart attack can occur within the first few years of life in severe cases.
• Hypercholesterolemia due to LDL receptor deficiency: A disorder involving a defect in the protein (LDL receptor) that allows cholesterol to be transported to where it can be used means that it builds up in the blood and blood vessels where it can cause problems.
• Hypercholesterolemia due to arg3500 mutation of Apo B-100: A rare disorder where a defect in the protein that transports cholesterol (apolipoprotein B-100) means that it builds up in the blood and blood vessels where it can cause problems.
• Hypercholesterolemia, autosomal dominant: A dominantly inherited disorder of cholesterol metabolism which causes premature coronary artery disease.
• Hypercholesterolemia, autosomal recessive: Autosomal recessive hypercholesterolemia is an inherited lipid metabolism disorder where low density lipoproteins are unable to bind properly to low density lipoprotein receptors. The condition is characterized by high cholesterol levels.
• Hyperlipoproteinemia: Hyperlipoproteinemia is a medical term for high levels of lipids in the blood which in turn causes high cholesterol levels. Lipoproteins are responsible for transporting cholesterol in the bloodstream and high levels of them in the bloodstream means that there are high levels of cholesterol in the bloodstream.
• Hypertriglyceridemia: An excess of triglycerides in the body
• Hypothyroidism: Too little thyroid hormone production.
• Idiopathic minimal change nephrotic syndrome: A rare kidney disorder which has no apparent cause. The filtering structures of the kidneys are only slightly damaged and appear to be almost normal. Progression to kidney failure is very rare.
• IgA nephropathy: A rare disorder where kidney inflammation leads to a build up of the antibody (IgA) in the kidney which results in the characteristic symptom of blood in the urine.
• Laron Dwarfism: Laron syndrome is a rare genetic disease where the body has sufficient growth hormones but lacks receptors to utilize the hormone and hence dwarfism results. Type 1 involves a defect in the growth hormone receptor gene which prevents the hormone from binding and being used. Hence there are high levels of free growth hormone in the plasma. Type II involves a problem with the processing of the growth hormone once it has been bound properly to the cell surface.
• Laron Pituitary Dwarfism: Laron syndrome is a rare genetic disease where the body has sufficient growth hormones but lacks receptors to utilize the hormone and hence dwarfism results. Type 1 involves a defect in the growth hormone receptor gene which prevents the hormone from binding and being used. Hence there are high levels of free growth hormone in the plasma. Type II involves a problem with the processing of the growth hormone once it has been bound properly to the cell surface.
• Laron Syndrome: Laron syndrome is a rare genetic disease where the body has sufficient growth hormones but lacks receptors to utilize the hormone and hence dwarfism results. Type 1 involves a defect in the growth hormone receptor gene which prevents the hormone from binding and being used. Hence there are high levels of free growth hormone in the plasma. Type II involves a problem with the processing of the growth hormone once it has been bound properly to the cell surface.
• Laron Type Pituitary Dwarfism 1: Laron syndrome is a rare genetic disease where the body has sufficient growth hormones but lacks receptors to utilize the hormone and hence dwarfism results. Type 1 involves a defect in the growth hormone receptor gene which prevents the hormone from binding and being used. Hence there are high levels of free growth hormone in the plasma. Type II involves a problem with the processing of the growth hormone once it has been bound properly to the cell surface.
• Laron-type Dwarfism Phenotypic Syndrome: Laron syndrome is a rare genetic disease where the body has sufficient growth hormones but lacks receptors to utilize the hormone and hence dwarfism results. Type 1 involves a defect in the growth hormone receptor gene which prevents the hormone from binding and being used. Hence there are high levels of free growth hormone in the plasma. Type II involves a problem with the processing of the growth hormone once it has been bound properly to the cell surface.
• Lipid metabolism conditions: Disorders affecting the metabolism of lipids (blood fats), including cholesterol.
• Lovastatin -- Teratogenic Agent: There is evidence to indicate that exposure to Lovastatin during pregnancy may have a teratogenic effect on the fetus. A teratogen is a substance that can cause birth defects. The likelihood and severity of defects may be affected by the level of exposure and the stage of pregnancy that the exposure occurred at.
• Metabolic Syndrome: A common body syndrome with the "deadly quartet" of major conditions: obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and high lipids.
• Metabolic disorders: Disorders that affect the metabolic system in human
• Munk disease: A type of kidney disease that is more prevalent in children. It involves the build up of fats in the cells of the kidney tubules. The symptoms experienced may vary with the severity of the condition.
• Nephrotic syndrome: Various kidney glomeruli conditions
• No symptoms: The absence of noticable symptoms.
• Norum disease: A rare genetic disorder disorder involving abnormal lipid metabolism due to a deficiency of an enzyme called lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase. The condition causes high levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids. The condition is not associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Obesity: An increase in the body weight greater than that required for normal function that is characterised by the accumulation of excessive fat
• Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas causing digestive complaints.
• Physical inactivity: When an individual is physically inactive
• Polycystic ovaries urethral sphincter dysfunction: A rare syndrome characterized by the association of polycystic ovaries with the abnormal functioning of the urinary valve.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder that affects approximately 5% of all women.
• Questran -- Teratogenic Agent: There is evidence to indicate that exposure to Questran (cholesterol-lowering drug) during pregnancy may have a teratogenic effect on the fetus. A teratogen is a substance that can cause birth defects. The likelihood and severity of defects may be affected by the level of exposure and the stage of pregnancy that the exposure occurred at.
• Senior health conditions: Medical conditions affecting seniors, male or female.
• Sheehan Syndrome: A rare condition that occurs in women who suffer a severe uterine hemorrhage during childbirth. The resulting blood loss may damage the pituitary gland and result in hypopituitarism.
• Silent conditions: Any condition that is not visible clinically
• Simvastatin -- Teratogenic Agent: There is evidence to indicate that exposure to Simvastatin during pregnancy may have a teratogenic effect on the fetus. A teratogen is a substance that can cause birth defects. The likelihood and severity of defects may be affected by the level of exposure and the stage of pregnancy that the exposure occurred at.
• Sitosterolemia: A very rare inherited disorder of lipid metabolism where excessive amounts of sterols are absorbed and not removed from the body resulting in a build up in the blood.
• Stroke: Serious brain event from bleeding or blood clots.
• Transient Ischemic Attack: Temporary disturbance of blood supply to a restricted area of the brain, resulting in brief neurologic dysfunction that persists, by definition, for less than 24 hours.
• Type 2 diabetes: Most common diabetes in adults, usually progressing slowly, mostly treated without insulin at diagnosis.
• Type I Glycogen Storage Disease: A condition which is characterized by a disease affecting glycogen storage
• Type I Hyperlipoproteinemia: Type I Hyperlipoproteinemia is a rare inherited condition characterized by high levels of chylomicrons (a type of lipoprotein) in the blood. This condition is the result of low levels of lipoprotein lipase which is responsible for lowering lipoprotein levels. Cholesterol levels are usually normal and the risk of heart disease is low.
• Type II Hyperlipoproteinemia: Type II Hyperlipoproteinemia is a condition characterized by high levels of beta-lipoproteins in the blood. The high cholesterol results from abnormally high levels of low density lipoproteins in the blood due to a deficiency of LDL receptors. There are two subtypes of this condition: type IIa and type IIb. Lipoproteins are responsible for transporting cholesterol in the bloodstream and high levels of them in the bloodstream means that there are high levels of cholesterol in the bloodstream.
• Type III Hyperlipoproteinemia: Type III hyperlipoproteinemia is a rare genetic condition characterized by increased blood levels of intermediate density lipoproteins (IDL) which in turn causes high cholesterol levels. The high IDL levels are caused by an abnormality in apolipoprotein E. Apolipoprotein E is a protein found on IDLs which allows the IDLs to bind to liver cells. Without this binding process, the level of IDLs in the blood increase. Lipoproteins are responsible for transporting cholesterol in the bloodstream and high levels of them in the bloodstream means that there are high levels of cholesterol in the bloodstream.
• Type IIa Hyperlipoproteinemia: Familial Hyperlipoproteinemia is a rare genetic condition characterized by high levels of low density lipoproteins in the blood. A deficiency of LDL receptors leads to an increased level of low density lipoproteins (LDLs) which in turn causes high cholesterol levels. Lipoproteins are responsible for transporting cholesterol in the bloodstream and high levels of them in the bloodstream means that there are high levels of cholesterol in the bloodstream.
• Type IIb Hyperlipoproteinemia: Type IIb Hyperlipoproteinemia is a condition characterized by increased blood levels of low density lipoproteins (LDL) and apoprotein B (ApoB). This in turn causes high cholesterol levels. Lipoproteins are responsible for transporting cholesterol in the bloodstream and high levels of them in the bloodstream means that there are high levels of cholesterol in the bloodstream.
• Type IV Hyperlipoproteinemia: Type IV Hyperlipoproteinemia is an inherited condition characterized by high levels of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) in the blood which in turn causes high cholesterol levels. Lipoproteins are responsible for transporting cholesterol in the bloodstream and high levels of them in the bloodstream means that there are high levels of cholesterol in the bloodstream. The high VLDL levels are a result of increased production and reduced elimination of the VLDLs. Environmental factors are the driving force behind this condition.
• Type Ia Hyperlipoproteinemia: Type Ia Hyperlipoproteinemia is a rare inherited condition characterized by high levels of chylomicrons (a type of lipoprotein) in the blood. This condition is the result of low levels of lipoprotein lipase which is responsible for lowering lipoprotein levels. Cholesterol levels are usually normal and the risk of heart disease is low.
• Type Ib Hyperlipoproteinemia: Type Ib Hyperlipoproteinemia is a rare inherited condition characterized by high levels of chylomicrons (a type of lipoprotein) in the blood. This condition is the result of low levels of apolipoprotein C-II which is responsible for lowering lipoprotein levels. Cholesterol levels are usually normal and the risk of heart disease is low.
• Type Ic Hyperlipoproteinemia: Type Ic Hyperlipoproteinemia is a rare inherited condition characterized by high levels of chylomicrons (a type of lipoprotein) in the blood. This condition is the result of inhibited lipoprotein lipase activity. Lipoprotein lipase is responsible for lowering lipoprotein levels. Cholesterol levels are usually normal and the risk of heart disease is low.
• Type V Hyperlipoproteinemia: Type V Hyperlipoproteinemia is a rare condition characterized by increased synthesis of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and reduced levels of lipoprotein lipase (an enzyme). Lipoproteins are responsible for transporting cholesterol in the bloodstream and high levels of them in the bloodstream means that there are high levels of cholesterol in the bloodstream.
• Under-diagnosed conditions: Any medical condition that is undiagnosed
• Wolman disease: A rare inherited lipid storage disease. The condition usually results in death early in life.
• Xanthoma: Fatty deposits under the skin causing yellow bumps
• Zieve syndrome: Liver and blood abnormalities caused by heavy alcohol consumption.

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