Treatment should begin with exercise, weight loss, a low-fat diet, and, if applicable, diabetes management. In most cases, though, more is needed. Anti-cholesterol medications (statins) is a medication that can be taken orally, usually, once a day, are extremely effective in lowering LDL and VLDL cholesterol levels. Success is monitored by periodic blood tests. The most common side effects leading to the stopping of a statin medication are intolerable muscle and joint aches. There are multiple FDA-approved statins, so trying a different one is usually suggested before giving up due to side effects. Statins may induce diabetes and cognitive dysfunction, risks that are far outweighed by the benefits of decreased morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease. If statins don’t work for you, due to side effects or insufficient results, as your physician about protein convertase subtilisin/Kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors. PCSK9 inhibitors appear to lower cholesterol levels 60% more than statins. While promising, these drugs are taken by injection, not orally, and can be very expensive. They are not yet recommended as first-line treatment for most people with hyperlipidemia but may be suitable for some. In very stubborn cases, a mechanical cleansing of the blood of lipids, called plasmapheresis, can help. This is an unusual treatment approach.

The table below includes the most commonly used ICD-10 codes for hyperlipidemia: