The effect of pregnancy and two different contraceptive pills on serum lipids and lipoproteins in a woman with a type III hyperlipoproteinaemia pattern.
We report a woman who had a moderate elevation of serum triglycerides with a type III pattern of hyperlipoproteinaemia when taking a normal diet. She developed eruptive xanthomata with a grossly raised serum triglyceride concentration and chylomicronaemia when pregnant and also when taking a combined oral contraceptive pill containing 50 microgram of oestrogen. The xanthomata cleared and the triglyceride level fell when the combined oral contraceptive pill was changed to one with a lower oestrogen content, clofibrate was prescribed and the diet was restricted in carbohydrate and fat. Persistent chylomicronaemia is a serious complication of pregnancy because of the risk of pancreatitis and the potential risk of fetal malnutrition. Treatment with diet and clofibrate is indicated. High oestrogen-containing contraceptive pills appear to be contraindicated in patients with type III or other hypertriglyceridaemic states.
D000328:Adult; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D002914:Chylomicrons / Q000097:blood; D002994:Clofibrate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014973:Xanthomatosis / Q000139:chemically induced
D002914:Chylomicrons; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D004967:Estrogens; D008055:Lipids; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol; D002994:Clofibrate