Early diagnosis of Lipedema is vital to stop symptoms from getting any worse.

A number of factors are taken into consideration when making a formal diagnosis of Lipedema:

• Disproportionately larger/fatter legs and hips compared to the upper body
• Swelling is symmetrical (both sides of the body are affected equally)
• Hands and feet are not affected
• Loose, floppy connective tissues around the knee joints
• Fat that looks like cellulite and feels soft
• Tenderness/pain and easy or spontaneous bruising to affected areas
• Skin of affected areas may be pale and cold
• Upper arms may also be disproportionately fatter
• Patients may report increased swelling in hot weather