Why I Started Looking for Lipedema in My Patients

When I opened my practice here in Leesburg, I thought of myself mainly as a family medicine and obesity medicine physician. Over time, the practice grew into something broader: a metabolic practice where weight, hormones, and primary care overlap, backed by a network of specialists I trust to cover what I can't cover alone.

That growth is part of how I found lipedema.

The Patients Who Were Doing Everything Right

I kept seeing a pattern I couldn't ignore. Some patients were following their plans closely. They ate well, stayed active, and showed up consistently, yet their bodies weren't responding the way the textbooks said they should. The weight wasn't moving in certain areas, no matter what we adjusted.

So I started looking more closely and more thoroughly during exams. That's when I started recognizing lipedema.

I want to be clear about one thing: lipedema is a clinical diagnosis. No single blood test or scan confirms it. The diagnosis comes from a detailed medical history, family history, and a careful physical exam. That means it takes a provider who knows what to look for and who takes the time to actually look.

If You're Searching for Answers Right Now

If you're reading this because you think you might have lipedema, I want to say this first. You're not imagining it, and you're not failing at weight loss. If your body isn't responding the way you'd expect despite real effort, that tells us something. It isn't a personal shortcoming.

I also know how overwhelming the research can get. There's a lot of conflicting information out there, and it's easy to get buried in it. With my patients, I try to slow things down. That means individualized guidance instead of generic advice, referrals to dietitians and specialists who understand this condition, and support for mental health. Living with a condition that is underdiagnosed and often dismissed takes a toll, and I don't treat that as separate from the physical care.

Where GLP-1 Medications Fit In

I've been paying close attention to how GLP-1 medications, including tirzepatide, may help in lipedema care. In my own practice, I've seen improvement in the inflammation and pain that come with lipedema, often at lower doses than we'd typically use for weight management alone. The research here is still developing, so I approach it carefully, one patient at a time, with shared decision-making. It has become a valuable part of how we manage symptoms.

Hormones Are Never a Side Note

Lipedema doesn't happen in isolation, and I don't treat it that way. My approach to women's health looks at everything together: cardiovascular and metabolic prevention alongside hormone therapy when appropriate. Hormonal changes and metabolic health are closely tied to lipedema symptoms, so treating one without the others rarely gives patients the relief they're hoping for.

My Hope for This Work

Part of why I talk about this openly, including on podcasts like the one I recorded with Kristy Dellacroce and Cindy Howell, is that I want more physicians to start looking for lipedema too. The more we raise awareness in the medical community, the sooner patients get real answers instead of years of being told to just try harder.

If this sounds like your story, I'd encourage you to get a clinical evaluation from a provider who understands lipedema. You deserve a real answer.

You can reach my practice, My Wellness Physicians, at (703) 777-9355 or through mywellnessphysicians.com.

This post accompanies our recent podcast conversation, "The Intersection of Obesity, Hormones, and Lipedema," with Kristy Dellacroce, MS, OTR/L, MLD-C, and Cindy Howell, RN, CLT, MPHC. Listen to the full episode here.