[Regression of xanthomas in endogenous hypertriglyceridemia under low carbohydrate diet]

Report on two patients with endogenous hypertriglyceridemia. In both patients normal serum lipid values were reached in a comparatively short time under a diet with reduced carbohydrates and calories. In one diabetic patient who needed insulin at the beginning of the treatment the disease could be controlled by dietary measures alone after a few days. Different biological half-life periods of the various serum lipid fractions explain why, under a reducing diet, the rate of decrease of lipids is variable according to the respective component. Thus, the ratio of triglycerides and cholesterol can vary in the same patient within a few days and may change his classification under different types of hyperlipidemia according to Fredrickson. It would appear that in these cases a classification based on etiological considerations is more recommendable.