Lipedema is a chronic, progressive disease that causes a disproportionate amount of swollen lipomas and affects the legs and/or arms bilaterally. Learn more about lipedema in this article. The following information and links have been collected over the years and are provided as a resource to clients and practitioners.
“Start where you are. Use what you have.
Do what you can.” — Arthur Ashe
Index of Lipedema Resources
Standard of Care for Lipedema
Additional Resources for Lipedema
Clinical Trials for Lipedema
Clinician’s Guide to Lipedema
Continuing Education for Lipedema
Diagnostic Codes for Lipedema
Devices and Supplies for Lymph Stasis
Finding Lipedema Practitioners
Laboratory Tests for Lipedema
Nutrition for Lymph Stasis
Patient Registry for Lipedema
Prescription Savings
Printable Materials for Lipedema
Research on Lipedema
Southwest US Lipedema Resources
Supplements to Assist Lymph Stasis A-F
Supplements to Assist Lymph Stasis G-M
Supplements to Assist Lymph Stasis N-Z
Supplies and Devices for Lymph Stasis
Symptom Trackers for Lipedema
Videos for Lipedema
More About Lipedema
Dispelling 8 myths about lipedema — International Lipoedema Association
Standard of Care for Lipedema
The United States Standard of Care was released in 2021 by experts in the United States in the field of lipedema research and treatment. I would recommend printing a copy of this and giving it to all personal physicians and practitioners, as it outlines the newest research in diagnosis and treatment of lipedema. See additional Research and Standards of Care for other countries below.
Additional Resources for Lipedema
The websites listed below are excellent ways to learn about lipedema and offer resources for additional information about diagnosis and treatment.
American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine
American Lymphedema Association
American Lymphedema Framework Project
American Vein and Lymphatic Society
Fat Disorders Resource Society
Lipedema.com
Lipedema Foundation
Lipedema World Alliance
Lipoedema Australia
Lymphatic Education & Research Network Resource Center
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
Lymphology Association of North America
National Commission on Lymphatic Diseases
National Lymphedema Network
Talk Lipoedema
Clinical Trials for Lipedema
There are several ways to search for current clinical trials.
Lipedema Trials | Clinical Trials.gov
Lipedema Trials | Good Clinical Practice Network
LEGWORK Clinical Study Finder | Lipedema Foundation
Clinician’s Guide to Lipedema
The Lipedema Foundation has recently published the Clinician’s Guide to Lipedema to help in diagnosing the disease. This document is also a good resource to give to practitioners.
Continuing Education for Lipedema
Anatomy, lymphatic system StatPearls Publishing | National Institutes of Health
Lipedema StatPearls Publishing | National Institutes of Health
Diagnostic Codes for Lipedema
The Lipedema Foundation offers a current list of diagnostic codes.
New ICD-10-CM codes for lipedema have been accepted and will be effective in October of 2027. Even though lipedema codes have been in use in other countries, it has taken time and effort to get specific codes for lipedema in place in the U.S. These codes are vital for easing patient access to diagnosis and care, facilitating reimbursement, and enabling health records research at scale.
Laboratory Tests for Lipedema
Dr. Karen Herbst, who is considered the upmost expert in lipedema, has shared a list of lab tests for fat disorders, which lists those lab values she feels necessary to help with diagnosis.
Patient Registry for Lipedema
Please consider joining the lipedema registry at the Lipedema Foundation in order to share your experience with lipedema. This invaluable information is compiled and used to learn more about lipedema and to develop new treatment approaches.
Printable Materials for Lipedema
The Lipedema Foundation has created the informational lipedema brochures in English, German and Spanish for your physicians and practitioners. These can either be printed at home or requested from the Lipedema Foundation.
The Fat Disorders Resource Society has created the informational lipedema card for your physicians and practitioners, which can be requested from FDRS.
Research on Lipedema
The Lipedema Foundation has a new way to search for papers on lipedema research called the LegATO library. I also keep newer research on lipedema and related subjects here.
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More About Lipedema
4 reasons BMI is dangerously flawed | Dr. Thomas Wright
A guide to lipedema treatment: Established and new management strategies | Healthline
Benefits of lymphatic drainage massage | Hypervibe
Biomarker for lipedema, other lymphatic diseases discovered | Stanford Medicine
Detox your lymphatic system with these 20 tricks | Medical News
Diagnosing lipedema | Lipedema Foundation
Differences between lipedema and lymphedema | Lymphedema Blog
Do vibration plates help with swelling? | Hypervibe
How nurses can spot and support patients suffering from lipedema | Minority Nurse
How vibration plates help lipedema | Lifepro Fitness
Identifying fibrosis in every stage of lymphedema | Lymphatic Network
Insights on the pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of lipedema | Dr. Karen Herbst, Wound Care Learning Network
Introduction to lipedema | Dr. Thomas Wright, Vein Magazine
Lipedema | Cleveland Clinic
Lipedema: A commonly misdiagnosed but real condition | Banner Health
Lipedema: A devastating disease too often overlooked | Dr. Thomas Wright, Vein Magazine
Lipedema: A frequently misdiagnosed and misunderstood fatty tissue deposition syndrome | Dr. Margarita Correa
Lipedema: A population health perspective — Recognizing the signs and empowering women with holistic health assessment | Case Management Society of America
Lipedema: A summary | Dr. Thomas Wright
Lipedema and hypermobility | Dr. Thomas Wright
Lipedema and the relationship to both fascia and inflammation | Schierling Chiropractic
Lipedema: Diagnosis, causes, and types | Medical News Today
Lipedema fat and BMI | Dr. Thomas Wright and Dr. Karen Herbst, Vein Magazine
Lipedema fibrosis: Everything you need to know | Tactile Medical
Lipedema guide: Causes, symptoms, treatments and more | Tactile Medical
Lipedema: My story and natural healing | Herba Remedium
Lipedema or cellulite? How to tell the difference | Healthline
Lipedema versus lymphedema: Differences and key takeaways | Hypervibe
Lipedema versus lymphedema: What to know to protect your limbs | Northwell Health
Lipedema’s invisible toll | Harvard Health Publishing
Lipoedema | National Health Service UK
Lipoedema | Victoria State Government, Department of Health AU
Lipoedema awareness — the current state of play | PMFA Journal
Living with lymphedema in legs | Jean LaMantia RD
Lymphatic drainage massage | Real Bodywork
Lymphatic system anatomy | Kenhub
Lymphatic Yoga® | Edely Wallace
Lymphedema and airline travel | Lymphedema Blog
Lymphedema and blood pressure | Jean LaMantia RD
Lymphedema and lipedema — Indications, contraindications and risk factors | 2018 Michigan Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference
Lymphedema versus lipedema: Similar but different | Cleveland Clinic
Lymphorrhea | Jean LaMantia RD
Medicines and selenium supplements for lymphedema | Jean LaMantia RD
Patient guide to self-diagnosing lipedema | Toronto Physiotherapy
Standard of care for lipedema in the United States | Journal of Phlebology
Tools for lipedema treatment | Lympha Press
Understanding fibrosis in lipedema: Inflamed subcutaneous adipose tissue and nodules | Lymphatic Network
Understanding Lipedema and Lymphedema Fibrosis | Lighthouse Lymphedema
What is lipedema? | Center for Vascular Medicine
What is lipedema? | Jobst LymphCare
What is lipedema? All about the fat that’s not your fault | Carolina Vein Center
What is lipedema, and how can it be treated? | Dr. Sue Pedersen
What is lipedema — and how can massage therapy help? | Tensegrity Manual Therapy
What you need to know about pressotherapy | Healthline
Where does lipedema fat accumulate? | Dr. Thomas Wright