Lipoedema is an adipose tissue disorder causing bilateral symmetrical enlargement of the lower and in some cases the upper extremities in women leading to significant disproportion of the waist to hip ratio. Lipoedema is sadly rarely recognised in primary care and hence under-diagnosed. Due to lipoedema being misdiagnosed as obesity or lymphoedema, patients frequently embark on a never-ending cycle of diets and exercise regimes, resulting in further physical and psychological harm.

This lesson addresses these issues by describing the presentation, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of lipoedema in primary care.

This course was developed in partnership with Lipoedema UK and has been endorsed by the Royal College of Nursing. 

This course is FREE to RCGP members and can be purchased by non-members.

Start Lipoedema - An Adipose Tissue Disorder

Time to complete this course: 30 mins

Date of publication: May 2014

Reviewed and updated: January 2018