Familial Hypercholesterolemia
Alternate Names : Hypercholesterolemic Xanthomatosis, Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor Mutation, Type II Hyperlipoproteinemia
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Diagnosis & Tests
A physical examination may reveal xanthomas, xanthelasmas and cholesterol-laden deposits called a corneal arcus.
Laboratory testing may show:
- elevated triglycerides
- protein electrophoresis may show abnormal results
- total plasma cholesterol that is greater than 300 mg/cc (adult)
- total plasma cholesterol that is greater than 250 mg/cc (children)
- serum LDL that is higher than 200
- studies of heart function, such as a stress test, may be abnormal
- special studies of patient cells (fibroblasts) may show decreased uptake of LDL cholesterol
- genetic testing for mutations in the LDL receptor gene
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