To explain to a layman, you can say that the lipids are all the fats present in our blood. Lipids mainly include triglycerides and cholesterol. They play important roles in our body in the sense that cholesterol helps in the production of some hormones and vitamin D while triglycerides are a source of energy. But if there is excessive production of these groups of fat in the blood, it can cause endocrine conditions and heart diseases. Lipid Disorders – And Endocrine Condition
I mistook my chest pain as congestion and a side-effect of catching a cold but when my doctor saw that it is not getting any better, he referred me to a well-known endocrinologist in Islamabad.
After a thorough check-up and test scans, I was diagnosed with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. I got really worried after knowing that for immediate reasons but the doctor was kind enough to ensure that situation can be handled. He further guided me about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of the condition, and here is what I learned:
Table of Contents
Causes of Lipid Disorders
Abnormal lipid levels cause lipid disorders. And the factors that can contribute to altering your lipid levels are genetics, poor lifestyle, certain drugs, obesity, and other endocrine conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), hyperthyroidism, and excessive use of steroids.
Symptoms of Lipid Disorders
The sad part is that there are little to no symptoms for the early diagnosis of lipid disorders. It can just be diagnosed after the patient takes a test by a lipid panel. On the other hand, it can cause alarming conditions if left untreated. For example, abnormal levels of triglycerides can cause pancreatitis, while high levels of cholesterol can cause a heart stroke in extreme conditions.
Treatment of Lipid Disorders
In the case of lipid disorders, the treatment includes less medication and more lifestyle changes. Increasing your physical activity and switching to healthy eating, along with taking drugs such as statins, can be common treatment choices for lower lipids. Smoking abstinence and the use of diets and medications that lower LDL cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose levels are ways to minimize the risk of cardiac failure. Weight reduction and rising physical exercise could be other suggested lifestyle improvements.
Lipids and Hormones
You might be thinking about how exactly lipids affect our hormones. Well, as for proteins and fats, hormones regulate each channel and are transmitted to promote metabolic action. Testosterone, estrogen, cortisol, growth hormone, thyroid hormone, insulin, and glucagon are the main hormones included in this method.
The Bottom Line
Lipid disorders must be treated immediately because they can cause many serious problems later on in life. In order to reduce the risks and the effect of such conditions, make sure you adopt a healthy lifestyle.
