The organisation suggests tracking symptoms and gathering as much information as possible about the condition before booking in with your GP, who may then refer you to a specialist service including a lymphoedema clinic - these specialist services can also help people manage lipoedema.
While it is a condition that affects body fat, because the fat cells in lipoedema are disordered, dieting and exercise do not affect it the same way those measures help with normal fat loss.
“Many people with Lipoedema describe a feeling of relief when they receive their diagnosis, because it acknowledges that their symptoms are not the result of lifestyle choices,” Lipoedema UK says.
It’s a condition that only affects women, and while the NHS doesn’t know exactly how many are affected, Lipoedema UK estimates that up to one in 10 women have it.
Lipoedema UK says it can also be difficult to get a diagnosis because there is limited medical understanding about the condition.
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