what causes lipohypertrophy

Several factors make lipohypertrophy more likely, including:

• duration of insulin treatment
• the person’s age and body mass index (BMI)
• incorrect injections
• using the same injection site each time rather than rotating several sites
• the frequency of needle reuse

Full Answer

What causes lipohypertrophy and how can you prevent it?

The most common cause of lipohypertrophy is improper injection technique. Reusing an insulin syringe and not rotating injection sites are the main risk factors for developing lipohypertrophy in diabetic patients. While lipohypertrophy isn’t necessarily dangerous, it can result in inconsistent or reduced absorption of the insulin dose.

What is lipohypertrophy and how does it affect diabetes?

Lipohypertrophy is this abnormal growth of fat under the skin at the insulin injection site. It results in a delay in the absorption of insulin within the body. It can lead to fluctuating blood glucose levels despite being on insulin therapy. This article guides you on Lipohypertrophy and the ways to overcome its risk while being diabetic.

Why do insulin injections cause lipohypertrophy?

The main cause of lipohypertrophy is giving multiple injections in the same area over an extended period of time. Since insulin is an “anabolic” hormone (meaning, it promotes the storage of glucose, amino acids and fat), it can lead to the buildup of fatty tissue at the injection site.

What are the symptoms of lipohypertrophy?

Areas of lipohypertrophy can cause delays in absorption of medication administered to the affected area, like insulin, which can result in difficulties controlling blood sugar. Lipohypertrophy areas should not: be hot or warm to the touch. have redness or unusual bruising. be noticeably painful.

How do you prevent lipohypertrophy?

Lipohypertrophy can be prevented by switching between different areas of your body for injections. This practice is known as rotating the injection site. Changing to short-acting insulin is another way of preventing the condition.

What causes lipohypertrophy or lipoatrophy?

Lipohypertrophy may be the result of local anabolic action of insulin on adipocytes, promoting fat and protein synthesis. However, other mechanisms such as reuse of needles and trauma from frequent injections at the same site have also been postulated (6).

How long does lipohypertrophy take to heal?

In time, the bumps may get smaller. Avoiding the injection site is one of the most important parts of treatment for most people. It can take anywhere from weeks to months (and sometimes up to a year) before you may see any improvement.

What causes lumps at injection sites?

Lipohypertrophy is a medical word for a lump under the skin from a buildup of fat at the site of insulin injection or infusion. This comes in the form of lumps or bumps under the skin. Scar tissue, or hardened areas, may also develop at the sites.

What are the signs and symptoms of lipodystrophy?

What are the signs and symptoms of Lipodystrophy?Reduced fat tissue: There may be a notable absence of fat under the skin and this can be associated with the increased prominence of muscles and blood vessels. ... Skin changes: Lipodystrophy is often associated with increases in insulin production by the pancreas.

Can lipodystrophy be reversed?

There is no cure for lipodystrophy and research suggests that changes in body fat distribution caused by the use of older medications may be irreversible. If you are still taking one of the medications associated with lipodystrophy, switching to another medication will help prevent further lipodystrophy.

What does lipohypertrophy feel like?

The physical symptoms of lipohypertrophy include swollen, hard, lumpy deposits of fat and scar tissue under the skin. The skin area may also feel firmer than other areas. 1 These areas should not be warm or painful.

How do you identify lipohypertrophy?

If lipos are present you will feel a 'rubbery' like tissue resistance between your finger and thumb. Lipos vary in size, from as small as a pea to larger than a tennis ball. Repeat this skin fold check on all of your injection site areas regularly.

How do you get rid of injection lumps?

Apply hot fomentation thrice daily on lump area... Take Zerodol-SP Twice daily and Thrombophob Ointment apply thrice daily after hot fomentation.... It usually resolve in 10-15 days.....

Is it normal to have a hard lump after a shot?

Nodules can occur following any vaccine. They usually present in the days or weeks following immunisation and are most often reported following vaccines given in infancy or childhood. A nodule can persist for weeks and sometimes months. They are usually asymptomatic but can be tender and/or itchy.

Is it normal to get a lump after an injection?

The bump oozes: While a bit of drainage following an injection may be expected (caused by medication leaking out of the needle track), a doctor should look at any discolored or abnormal discharge immediately.

Is a lump at injection site Normal?

Sometimes, people who use insulin will notice a small raised area or bump under the skin at the injection site. It usually goes away on its own and is not red or painful. The medical term for this is lipohypertrophy.

What causes semicircular lipoatrophy?

In most cases, semicircular lipoatrophy has been suggested to be caused by repetitive mild trauma,1 such as leaning against the sink while applying makeup,8 wearing trousers while seated9 or wearing a tight elastic girdle.

How do you get rid of Lipoatrophia?

Treatments for fat accumulation that have been reported in the literature include diet and exercise, growth hormone (Serostim), and metformin (Glucophage). Treatments for lipoatrophy that have been reported include antiretroviral switches and treatment with thiazolidinediones (glitazones).

What is the difference between lipoatrophy and lipodystrophy?

In this article, the loss of fat is referred to as lipoatrophy and the abnormal distribution of fat is referred to as lipodystrophy. The term lipoatrophic diabetes refers to diabetes mellitus in association with lipoatrophy. Lipodystrophy encompasses lipoatrophy and other abnormalities of adipose tissue.

What is diabetic lipoatrophy?

Background. So-called insulin-induced lipoatrophy is a rare, albeit feared condition mostly in patients with type-1 diabetes mellitus. It leads to a total loss of subcutaneous fat tissue at the sites of insulin injections.

What is lipohypertrophy?

Lipohypertrophy is an abnormal accumulation of fat underneath the surface of the skin. It’s most commonly seen in people who receive multiple daily injections, such as people with type 1 diabetes. In fact, up to 50 percent of people with type 1 diabetes experience it at some point. Repeated insulin injections in the same location can cause fat ...

How to prevent lipohypertrophy?

Tips for preventing lipohypertrophy include: 1 Rotate your injection site each time you inject. 2 Keep track of your injection locations (you can use a chart or even an app). 3 Use a fresh needle each time. 4 When injecting near a previous site, leave about an inch of space in between the two.

What percentage of people who developed lipohypertrophy reused needles?

One study found that 46 percent of people. who developed lipohypertrophy reused needles. Poor glycemic control, duration of diabetes, needle length, and duration of insulin therapy are also risk factors.

How long does it take for lipo to go away?

Avoiding the injection site is one of the most important parts of treatment for most people. It can take anywhere from weeks to months (and sometimes up to a year) before you may see any improvement.

What are the characteristics of lipohypertrophy?

These areas may have the following characteristics: small and hard or large and rubbery patches . surface area over 1 inch in diameter. a firmer feel than elsewhere on the body. Areas of lipohypertrophy can cause delays in absorption of medication administered to the affected area, like insulin, which can result in difficulties controlling blood ...

Can lipohypertrophy be a temporary symptom?

See a doctor as soon as possible if you have any of these symptoms. Lipohy pertrophy is not the same as when an injection hits a vein, which is a temporary and one-time situation and has symptoms that include bleeding and a raised area that may be bruised for a few days.

Can lipohypertrophy cause high blood glucose?

Lipohypertrophy can affect the way your body absorbs insulin, and it may be different than what you expect. You may be at increased risk for hyperglycemia (high blood glucose levels) or hypoglycemia (low blood glucose levels). Both are serious complications of diabetes. Because of this, it’s a good idea to test your glucose levels if you’re receiving an insulin injection in an affected area or in a new area.

How to avoid lipohypertrophy?

Her advice for avoiding lipohypertrophy is to be diligent about rotating sites and keeping them clean. Not only does she rotate the site of the body she uses, she rotates the position on the site regularly, too. She says:

Why is my blood sugar erratic?

If someone with diabetes has lipohypertrophy and continues to inject insulin into the affected tissue or uses that site for an insulin pump or continuous glucose monitor, they can have erratic blood sugars due to changes in insulin absorption.

Can lipohypertrophy be caused by insulin?

There are several causes that can increase the risk of lipohypertrophy, but it is most common in people who take multiple daily injections or those who wear insulin pumps or continuous glucose monitors and do not practice proper site rotation.

Is lipohypertrophy a lump?

An area of skin that has lipohypertrophy will usually be visually noticeable, however, this is not always the case. In some instances, there is no lump at all and rather a harder patch of skin.

Does insulin cause lipohypertrophy?

People with diabetes who take insulin are at an increased risk of hypertrophy. A systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that around 38% (a number that varies depending on the study) of people with diabetes have lipohypertrophy. 1 

Can lipohypertrophy be unappealing?

Aesthetically, lipohypertrophy can be unappealing, but the good news is that if it's caught early, the skin can heal and become smoother. Adjusting to new insulin sites can also be a bit overwhelming in the beginning.

What is lipohypertrophy?

Diagnosis. Treatment and prevention. Summary. Lipohypertrophy is a lump of thickened tissue that can develop in the subcutaneous fat layer. It is common in people who regularly receive injections for certain health conditions, such as diabetes. The lumps are not tumors, and they are not malignant, but they may cause delays in the absorption ...

How to prevent lipohypertrophy?

Anyone who thinks that they have lipohypertrophy should seek advice from their doctor on injection rotations or ask about using a different type of insulin, delivery system, or needle.

What is the term for the abnormal growth of thickened skin tissue?

Lipohypertrophy is the medical term for the abnormal growth of thickened skin tissue. It typically occurs when people get regular subcutaneous injections in the same area of skin — for example, when a person with diabetes gets regular insulin injections. The lumps are not malignant.

Why do people with type 1 diabetes have lipohypertrophy?

People with type 1 diabetes may develop lipohypertrophy because of the need for frequent injections or, possibly, as a reaction to insulin. A 2020 study involving 1,227 people taking insulin for type 2 diabetes showed that structural changes in aging skin might put people older than 65 years at higher risk of developing the lumps.

How much more likely is lipohypertrophy to develop if you rotate your injection site?

Research in Frontiers in Endocrinology found that people who rotated their injection site within an area the size of a credit card were 23.2 times more likely to develop lipohypertrophy than those who used a postcard-sized area.

Can lipohypertrophy recurring be self conscious?

Some people may also feel self-conscious about the appearance of the lumps. However, prompt diagnosis and preventive steps will reduce the chance of lipohypertrophy recurring. In many cases, the lumps gradually disappear.

Can lipohypertrophy cause lumps?

If lipohypertrophy causes visible lumps, their appearance may be sufficient for doctors to diagnose this condition.

What are the risk factors for lipohypertrophy?

In general, the risk factors for lipohypertrophy include: 1 Having type 1 diabetes 2 Reusing needles for injections 3 Having lots of insulin injections 4 Using pen devices for injections 5 Having antibodies to insulin

How to tell if you have lipohypertrophy?

You can check for these symptoms by stroking the affected area firmly and see a doctor if you're unsure. It's easy to mistake lipohypertrophy in its early stages as just thickening of the skin, but eventually, you may lose sensation in the affected area.

What is lipohypertrophy in 2021?

What Is Lipohypertrophy? Medically Reviewed by Dan Brennan, MD on June 01, 2021. ‌Lipohypertrophy is when lumps of fat or scar tissue form under your skin. It is caused by repeat injections or infusions in the same area of the body and is more common in people with diabetes.

Why is lipohypertrophy twice as common in people taking medium or long-acting insulin as in those?

This is because long-acting insulin stays at the injection site longer, allowing fat and protein to build up.

How long does it take for lipo to heal?

The number of injectable areas on your body is limited, and lipohypertrophy reduces this number even more, so it's important to treat the condition properly. Treatments for lipohypertrophy include: It often takes a few months for lipohypertrophic skin to heal, but it can sometimes take years.

How can lipohypertrophy be prevented?

Lipohypertrophy can be prevented by switching between different areas of your body for injections. This practice is known as rotating the injection site.

Where is lipohypertrophy injection?

Symptoms of Lipohypertrophy. Lipohypertrophy happens more often at sites commonly used for injections including the middle of the thigh and near the belly button. Fat cells in areas with lipohypertrophy are almost twice the size of fat cells in your normal skin, and the lumps can be any size ranging from a golf ball to an orange. ‌.

What is Lipohypertrophy?

Lipohypertophy is the accumulation of visceral fat at the insulin injection site. Patients on insulin injections may notice thickening of the tissue at the injection site. This slowly can look like a lump of thick tissues and are benign.

How to prevent lipohypertrophy?

Proper prevention is the key to avoiding the negative effects of Lipohypertrophy. Rotation of injection sites and avoiding reuse of needles can prevent Lipohypertrophy.

What causes insulin to be uneven?

Lipohypertrophy causes an irregular and uneven insulin absorption. This in turn causes fluctuating blood glucose levels and improper diabetes management.

Why are Type 1 diabetics at greater risk for lipohypertrophy?

Type -1 diabetes patients are at more risk of Lipohypertrophy due to more dependency on insulin injections [3].

How does lipohypertophy affect insulin absorption?

Lipohypertophy affects the proper insulin absorption in diabetic patients. The insulin absorption becomes irregular due to swelling at the injection site.

What causes swelling in the injection site?

Improper injection administration. Failure of proper evaluation of the injection site and thus injecting improper ly can cause swelling at the injection site.

Can insulin injections cause lipohypertrophy?

It is more common in people with type-1 and type-2 diabetes. 62% of diabetic patients suffer from Lipohypertrophy while on insulin injections [1].

Why does lipohypertrophy occur?

Lipohypertrophy tends to occur as a result of injecting insulin into the same site over and over without rotating sites. When the same site is used for repeated injections, such as multiple insulin injections per day, scar tissue can form.

What are the risk factors for lipohypertrophy?

Not rotating insulin injection sites is the leading risk factor for developing lipohypertrophy.

What is lipohypertrophy?

Lipohypertrophy is an abnormal accumulation of fat under the skin surface. This accumulation of fat occurs from the formation of scar tissue from repeated insulin injections.

What is the term for adipose tissue that is hard under the skin?

Lipohypertrophy is a form of lipodystrophy or a disorder of the adipose (fat) tissue. It occurs when scar tissue builds up to form a hard mass under the skin from repeated insulin injections. The most common cause of lipohypertrophy is improper injection technique.

What is the term for a disorder of fat, or adipose tissue?

Lipohypertrophy and lipoatrophy are both forms of lipodystrophy, which is the term for a disorder of fat, or adipose tissue. People with lipohypertrophy tend to have higher blood glucose levels, as well as a higher frequency of unexplained hypoglycemia.

How to prevent lipohypertrophy?

The best way to prevent lipohypertrophy is to rotate the site of injection and use a new needle with every insulin injection. Patients taking insulin should be appropriately educated by healthcare providers on insulin injection technique. This will help to reduce the prevalence of lipohypertrophy.

What is the term for a disorder of fat tissue similar to lipohypertrophy?

A disorder of fat tissue similar to lipohypertrophy is lipoatrophy. Lipoatrophy tends to be associated with autoimmune disorders, such as type 1 diabetes and presents as a deep, retracted scar or lesion. Lipohypertrophy and lipoatrophy are both forms of lipodystrophy, which is the term for a disorder of fat, or adipose tissue.

What causes lipohypertrophy?

Lipohypertrophy is associated with longer duration of injecting insulin and is caused by one or a combination of the following behaviors: 1 Failure to rotate injection sites (including insulin pump sites). 2 Needle reuse (especially reusing needle >3 times). 3 A low/lower body mass index (BMI). 4 Use of human insulin versus analogue insulin.

Why do people with diabetes not know what lipo is?

Many people with diabetes who inject insulin don’t know what lipo is because their medical team may have neglected to mention it in their review of self-management care. It’s important to understand lipohypertrophy because it can cause variable insulin absorption resulting in unexplained high and low blood glucose (bg), and really cause problems, including a visit to the ER.

What is lipo in insulin injection?

Lipo is a lump or swelling just under the skin in areas where insulin has been injected over and over again. Fat and scar tissue accumulate in these areas and can be rubbery. Lipo is usually found most often in the abdomen. Essentially the tissue is damaged and sensation in the area may be lost. If you find you favour injecting in areas where there is less pain, this may be a sign that there is damaged tissue or lipo in that area. Injecting insulin into areas of skin complicated by lipo impacts absorption, where the insulin takes much longer to be absorbed or very fast, and unexpectedly.

Why does lipohypertrophy occur?

Since insulin is an “anabolic” hormone (meaning, it promotes the storage of glucose, amino acids and fat), it can lead to the buildup of fatty tissue at the injection site .

What is lipohypertrophy?

Lipohypertrophy occurs when fatty lumps appear under the skin. Initially, lipohypertrophy can start as thickened skin; over time, the following characteristics may appear:

Is lipohypertrophy a risk factor?

Since lipohypertrophy occurs as a result of repeated injections into the same area, anyone who administers an injection subcutaneously (meaning, injecting into the tissue area just under the skin) is at risk. If you use a non-insulin injectable medication, such as a GLP-1 receptor agonist (Victoza, Byetta, Bydureon, Tanzeum, Trulicity, Adlyxin, Ozempic, Rybelsus) or if you insert an insulin pump infusion set or a CGM sensor, you can be at risk for lipohypertrophy, too.

Can you rotate your lipo?

The answer is yes ! How? Rotate, rotate, rotate — your injection sites, that is. Remember that using the same injection site, say, the left side of your abdomen, all the time is what causes lipohypertrophy in the first place. By switching things up, you can prevent this from happening.

Can lipohypertrophy cause high blood sugar?

But appearance aside, lipohypertrophy can cause insulin to be absorbed erratically and unpredictably. As a result, you may notice more high and low blood sugars despite taking your insulin as prescribed, watching your carbs, staying active, etc. You may end up having to take more insulin, too.

How long does it take for a hypertrophic area to get better?

Usually hypertrophic areas after a few weeks get better, if it is really thickened maybe a few months.

Can liposuction be used for severe lipohypertrophy?

Googling it, treatment suggestions seem to include magnet therapy and accupuncture or accupressure — or in extreme cases, a 2009 journal article suggests: “severe lipohypertrophy can be treated with liposuction surgery.” Ewww, no thank you! Not to mention the battle over insurance coverage for that. Good luck!

Lipohypertrophy Symptoms

Causes

• People with diabetes who take insulin are at an increased risk of lipohypertrophy. A systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that around 38% (a number that varies depending on the study) of people with diabetes have lipohypertrophy.2 There are several causes that can increase the risk of lipohypertrophy, but it is most common in people who rece...

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