[An abnormal lipid profile: when to perform additional research for a genetic cause?]

Abnormalities in the lipid profile are common, but it is often not easy to determine their cause. After exclusion of secondary causes, a primary (genetic) cause of dyslipidaemia should be considered. The most common monogenic dyslipidaemia is familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), but there are other clinically relevant genetic dyslipidaemias, including familial dysbetalipoproteinaemia (FD), monogenic chylomicronaemia and hypoalphalipoproteinemia. It is important to make a genetic diagnosis because it may influence the prognosis of the patient, for determining appropriate treatment goals and because it is relevant for family members. This clinical viewpoint explains the diagnostic process of genetic dyslipidaemias using two cases.