In medicine, lipodystrophy is a condition characterized by abnormal or degenerative conditions of the body's adipose tissue. ("Lipo" is Latin for "fat" and "dystrophy" is Latin for "abnormal or degenerative condition".) A more specific term, lipoatrophy is used when describing the loss of fat from one area (usually the face).

Insulin injections

---

A lipodystrophy can be a lump or small dent in the skin that forms when a person keeps performing injections in the same spot. These types of lipodystrophies are harmless. People who want to avoid them can do so by changing (rotating) the places where they perform injections. For diabetics, using purified insulins may also help.

Antiretroviral drugs

---

Lipodystropies can be a possible side effect of HIV medication (mainly the protease inhibitors).Other lipodystropies manifest as the excess or lack of fat in various regions of the body. These include but are not limited to having sunken cheeks, "humps" on the back or back of the neck. They are often seen as a symptom of AIDS or as side-effects from antiretroviral drugs.

Hereditary forms

---

Lipodystrophy can be caused by metabolic abnormalities due to genetic issues. These are often characterised by insulin resistance and are associated with Syndrome X.