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