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Question

Hypercholesterolemia is most commonly a laboratory diagnosis, but there are some class physical examination findings that can be seen. What are they?

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Answer

There are five (5) classic physical exam findings associated with hypercholesterolemia and are more common in familial, genetic hyperlipoprotenemias.

• Tendon xanthomas (most commonly at the achilles tendon and hands)
• Planar xanthomas on hands and feet
• Xanthelasmas (soft, cholesterol filled, yellow plaques on the upper eyelids)
• Corneal arcus (white/grey ring around cornea)
• Lipemia retinalis (white colored retinal vessels associated with hypertriglyceridemia)

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• Planar xanthomas on hands and feet
• Xanthelasmas (soft, cholesterol filled, yellow plaques on the upper eyelids)
• Corneal arcus (white/grey ring around cornea)
• Lipemia retinalis (white colored retinal vessels associated with hypertriglyceridemia)

• 

• 

• Xanthelasmas (soft, cholesterol filled, yellow plaques on the upper eyelids)

• Corneal arcus (white/grey/yellow ring around cornea)

• 

• 

• Lipemia retinalis (white colored retinal vessels associated with hypertriglyceridemia)