On a regular diet patients with type IV hyperlipoproteinemia demonstrate increased plasma VLDL. Plasma triglycerides are persistently increased, while plasma cholesterol and phospholipids are usually within normal limits. Precocious atherosclerosis, abnormal glucose tolerance, and atheroeruptive xanthoma may occur. The disorder is undoubtedly heterogeneous and the phenotype strongly influenced by environmental factors, particularly carbohydrate and ethanol consumption. [from
OMIM]