Pharmacology of Antihyperlipidemic Medications for Laboratory Professionals

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Author: Kyle D. Mills, DO, MLS(ASCP)SH
Reviewers: Katie Blain, PharmD, MPH and Judi Bennett, BSM, MLS(AMT), MLT(ASCP)

This course will review the normal biological functions of lipids and differentiate lipoprotein types based on their structure and function. While this presentation will provide a brief review of all lipid types, there will be a focus on cholesterol and associated disease states, medications, and implications for laboratory testing.

Continuing Education Credits

Objectives

  • Recognize the normal biological functions of lipids.
  • Differentiate lipoprotein types based on their structure and function.
  • Summarize the disease states and physical examination findings of dyslipidemias.
  • Predict potential laboratory abnormalities associated with lipid-lowering medications.
  • Categorize lipid-lowering medications according to their physiologic mechanism of action.

Course Outline

  • Review of Lipid Physiology
      • What Are Lipids?
      • Review of Lipid Types
      • Cholesterol
      • Match each lipid type with the correct biological function.
      • Lipid Digestion and Absorption
      • Lipid Transport in the Bloodstream
      • Lipoproteins
      • True or False: Lipoproteins with more cholesterol content are less dense than lipoproteins with less cholesterol.
      • Cholesterol Reference Ranges
  • Disease States Associated with Hyperlipidemia
      • Pathology of Lipids
      • Physical Signs of Elevated Lipid Levels
      • Tendinous Xanthoma
      • Eruptive Xanthoma
      • Xanthelasma
      • Overview of Dyslipidemias
      • Primary Dyslipidemias
      • What do patients with familial hypercholesterolemia have an increased risk of developing?
      • Secondary Dyslipidemias
      • Atherosclerosis
      • True or False: A transient ischemic attack (TIA) occurs when there is decreased blood flow to the heart, resulting in abnormal functioning of the orga...
  • Classification of Lipid-Lowering Medications
      • Pharmacologic Strategies for Dyslipidemia and Laboratory Applications
      • HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Statins
      • What is the most common laboratory abnormality expected from a patient taking an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (e.g., statin)?
      • Bile Acid Resins
      • Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors
      • Nicotinic Acid (Niacin)
      • Fibrates
      • How often should serum creatinine be assessed in patients taking fibrates, such as gemfibrozil?
      • PCSK9 Inhibitors
      • Table 1: Summary for the Laboratory Professional
      • Which two medications for hyperlipidemia have an anti-inflammatory benefit?
      • Cholesterol Screening and Management Guidelines
  • References
      • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Basic
Intended Audience:  Medical laboratory scientists and medical laboratory technicians. This course is also appropriate for medical laboratory science students, pathology residents, and other healthcare personnel who are responsible for prescribing and administering antihyperlipidemic medications.
Author Information: Kyle D. Mills, DO, MLS(ASCP)SH, completed his professional medical education at the University of Pikeville - Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine in Pikeville, Kentucky. He is currently pursuing a residency in internal medicine at the University of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky. Dr. Mills also holds a Bachelor of Health Science degree in Clinical Laboratory Sciences from the University of Kentucky and is an American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) certified Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) and Specialist in Hematology (SH). Before attending medical school, Dr. Mills worked on the laboratory bench as a generalist and led a medical laboratory technician program.
The author has no conflict of interest to disclose. 
Reviewer Information:
Katie Blain, PharmD, MPH is a pharmacist with the Appalachian Regional Healthcare Health System in Eastern Kentucky and Southern West Virginia. Dr. Blain currently serves as the Kentucky Pharmacists Association (KPhA) New Practitioner Committee Chair. She completed an American Society of Health System Pharmacy (ASHP) accredited community pharmacy residency program with Sullivan University College of Pharmacy and Walgreens Co. in Louisville, Kentucky. Dr. Blain received her Doctor of Pharmacy and Master of Public Health degrees from the University of Kentucky.  
Judi Bennett, BSM, MLS(AMT), MLT(ASCP), is an Education Developer with MediaLab by Vastian, bringing over 30 years of experience as a medical laboratory scientist. Before joining MediaLab in 2010, she held key leadership roles, including Clinical Laboratory Manager, Microbiology Supervisor, and Senior Systems Analyst at Gwinnett Health System in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Her extensive knowledge of laboratory operations, combined with a strong commitment to healthcare quality and education, fuels her passion for developing engaging and effective learning tools for the next generation of laboratorians.

 Course Description:  This course will review the normal biological functions of lipids and differentiate lipoprotein types based on their structure and function. While this presentation will provide a brief review of all lipid types, there will be a focus on cholesterol and associated disease states, medications, and implications for laboratory testing.

This course is part of:
Compliance & CE
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HDL vs LDL shutterstock
Figure 4. Xanthelasma
Figure 5. Atherosclerosis
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