Hyperlipidemia type 3 is an inherited condition that disrupts the normal breakdown of fats (lipids) in the body, causing a large amount of certain fatty materials to build up in the body. Some individuals never have symptoms of this condition. Symptoms usually do not appear unless a second genetic or environmental factor adds to increased lipid levels. Symptoms may include: yellowish lipid-filled bumps on the skin (xanthomas), inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), and a buildup of fat in the blood vessels (atherosclerosis). Hyperlipidemia type 3 may lead to the development of cardiovascular disease. This condition is caused by genetic changes in the APOE gene. The inheritance of this condition is considered to be complicated, as having genetic changes in the APOE gene often does not lead to the development of symptoms without the influence of other factors. Most people with symptoms of Hyperlipidemia type 3 have two genetic changes in the APOE gene, inherited in an autosomal recessive manner.