Patient Resources for Learning More

Lipedema Foundation Key Resources

  • The Lipedema Foundation Brochure offers clear answers to the most common questions about symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, and resources for support. If you would like hard copies of the brochure, fill out this form and include your mailing address and the number of brochures you'd like.

  • Our downloadable infographic includes key information and other Lipedema resources related to presentation, common symptoms, prevalence, diagnosis challenges, common misdiagnoses, and treatment.

  • The Lipedema Foundation Patient Self-Advocacy Guide is intended to help Lipedema patients in the United States find helpful resources to navigate their healthcare journey.

  • In early 2019, the Lipedema Foundation launched the Lipedema Foundation Registry — an initial confidential survey to help understand the condition. In 2022, we were ecstatic to share the Registry First Look report, providing perspective on the diverse experiences of people with Lipedema.

Research and Enrolling Studies

Explore how research is advancing our understanding of Lipedema and how you can get involved. From enrolling clinical studies to published findings, these resources connect you to the science driving progress.

Best practice Guidelines

In 2017, the Lipedema Foundation, in partnership with Milken Institute's Center for Strategic Philanthropy, worked to create the Giving Smarter Guide for Lipedema outlining epidemiology, health burden, diagnosis, and treatment procedures for Lipedema, and identified key research opportunities.

Since then, several countries, including the United States, have developed best practice guidelines for Lipedema, listed here:

Finding treatment

Photo Stories of Lipedema

Our Lipedema Photo Gallery features nearly 500 images showing the condition’s impact on different body types and its many physical variations.


Patient support groups

One of the best ways to find support, ask questions and seek recommendations for local treatment options is to connect with others living with Lipedema and use them as a resource. The following groups are a great place to start:

Fat Disorders Resource Society (FDRS)

  • FDRS is a patient advocacy group that hosts annual conferences to highlight the latest research findings and information related to Lipedema. Check out FDRS's website and FDRS's YouTube channel for more information.

social media

To stay up to date on the latest information and news on Lipedema, be sure to:

Podcasts

Image and Video resources

FAQs

  • On the Lipedema Foundation website, visitors can find a list of codes that are currently being utilized for Lipedema on our website. These are the most frequently used ICD-10 codes at this time (reported by clinicians).

    Please note, Lipedema does not currently have its own specific code under the ICD-10 revision which is being used in the United States. Lipedema has been recognized as its own disease entity under the code EF02.2 by the World Health Organization within the ICD-11 revision, however the United States has not accepted this revision. We are hopeful that the United States will adopt this version in the future!

    ICD (Diagnosis) Codes Commonly Used for Lipedema

  • The Lipedema Foundation’s picture gallery includes more than 500 photos of Lipedema.

    Per the Lipedema Foundation's policy, we allow copyrighted use of our photos. We only approve photo use if the photos will be used for educational purposes and not for direct or indirect commercial or promotional use. If this aligns with your intentions, please submit a Photo Request form found on the Lipedema Foundation website. We will review your request and reply within four weeks.

    Photo Stories, Photos for External Use

  • A great resource for locating Lipedema clinical studies is our LEGWORK- Clinical Study Finder. There are 10 trials currently listed, but we continue to update this page as new opportunities become available. Be sure to check back often!

    Additionally, if you would like to help The Lipedema Foundation's crusade in lipedema research, please sign up for our patient registry. By being part of our registry, you can help us break through the various barriers that exist, from finding a doctor to getting a diagnosis. This is not only for Lipedema patients; in fact, we are in particular looking for people without Lipedema to participate.

    Thank you for your willingness to contribute!

    LEGWORK Research Finder

    Registry

  • While lymphedema and Lipedema can have overlap in similar presentation, they have differing distinct features and Lipedema is often misdiagnosed as lymphedema. You can find more information about the differences between the two conditions on page 1 of the free downloadable Patient Self-Help Advocacy Guide. Our Patient Self-Advocacy Guide is intended to help Lipedema patients in the United States no matter where they are in their journey.

    Patient Self Advocacy Guide

    Lipedema vs. Lymphedema

  • The Lipedema Foundation Provider Directory is a resource designed to help people with Lipedema, their healthcare providers, and the broader Lipedema community identify therapists who have told us they treat Lipedema in their clinical practice. Often, the first person to recognize the symptoms of Lipedema in a patient is a healthcare provider trained in the lymphatic system - especially a physical or occupational therapist. While our directory currently includes only therapists, we plan to add additional specialties to the Directory soon. You may be able to find a therapist in your area that has a connection to doctors who diagnose and/or treat patients with Lipedema.

    Provider Directory

  • While the Lipedema Foundation cannot offer suggestions or recommendations for diet, exercise, and supplements, we can offer you what research has shown.

    If you are interested in finding research about wellness options and Lipedema, I would encourage you to check out our Legato Library and search the keywords "diet," “exercise,” or “supplements.” The Legato library is a comprehensive and up-to-date archive of research publications specifically related to Lipedema.

    Additionally, the Lipedema Foundation has created a treatment infographic with accompanying Treatment Tables. This resource aims to provide a wide range of treatment ideas that can be customized to meet patients' specific needs. LF has compiled numerous examples of treatments that have been shared by both patients and clinicians. We advise exercising caution when considering any medication, supplement, or topical agent for Lipedema symptom management. Consultation with a qualified medical professional is always the best course of action.

    Legato Library

    Treatment Graphic and Tables

  • The Lipedema Foundation Brochure is a great place to begin! The “What is Lipedema” brochure features key questions that patients may have about Lipedema. If you would like hardcopies of the brochure for free, please find our sign up form on our website lipedema.org.

    Additionally, our “What You Need to Know About Lipedema” infographic includes key information related to presentation, common symptoms, prevalence, diagnosis challenges, common misdiagnoses, and treatment.

    Finally, Lipedema Foundation has created a treatment infographic with accompanying Treatment Tables. This resource aims to provide a wide range of treatment ideas that can be customized to meet patients' specific needs. LF has compiled numerous examples of treatments that have been shared by both patients and clinicians. We advise exercising caution when considering any medication, supplement, or topical agent for lipedema symptom management. Consultation with a qualified medical professional is always the best course of action.

    Brochure

    What you need to know about Lipedema Infographic

    Treatment Tables

  • Finding insurance coverage is one of the most difficult parts of navigating Lipedema Healthcare. Unfortunately, the Lipedema Foundation is currently not staffed to provide individualized advice. Our focus is specifically on advancing research that will be able to help all patients.

    We know that paid services exist and claim to assist Lipedema patients in obtaining insurance covers and the appeal process, but we cannot vouch for them.