Can your cholesterol be too low?

[Grmnshplvr]

Anyone with a medical background that can help me understand this?

I had bloodwork taken last week, 36yr old female

Cholesterol 115
HDL 49 -- this is in red and I'm reading that it's considered low for women
LDL 52
TG 61
NON HDL cholesterol 66

now when I put these numbers into any online calculator it tells me my total cholesterol is too low to input. Mayo clinic min is 130. Some wont let you put in anything lower than 160 - should I be worried that mine is 115?

I always thought the goal was for low cholesterol but is there a thing as too low?

 

[lsyorke]

Low cholesterol is associated with depression and anxiety. Cholesterol has a neuroprotective property that has been forgotten about over the decades of statin use. Always an interesting thing when you look at the increase in depression and anxiety since statins came out.

https://www.healthline.com/health/cholesterol-can-it-be-too-low#low-cholesterol3

 

[Hikergirl]

My dh has always had too low cholesterol. No doctors have ever seemed concerned about it.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Anyone with a medical background that can help me understand this?

I had bloodwork taken last week, 36yr old female

Cholesterol 115
HDL 49 -- this is in red and I'm reading that it's considered low for women
LDL 52
TG 61
NON HDL cholesterol 66

now when I put these numbers into any online calculator it tells me my total cholesterol is too low to input. Mayo clinic min is 130. Some wont let you put in anything lower than 160 - should I be worried that mine is 115?

I always thought the goal was for low cholesterol but is there a thing as too low?

That is your "good cholesterol" or something like that. It means you need to include more "good fat". Fat is an integral part of our diet.

Also, funny thing, it depends on WHO is reading the test. HA! According to my panel results, their range for HDL is 40-59, which would put you in the normal range which would not flag you. (That is my worst number and it is 37.)

I am actively losing weight, on a statin, & taking vitamins and fish oil.

I have metabolic syndrome and see a lipid specialist. There are a whole host of other tests they can do, you would just have to qualify.

 

[Grmnshplvr]

Low cholesterol is associated with depression and anxiety. Cholesterol has a neuroprotective property that has been forgotten about over the decades of statin use. Always an interesting thing when you look at the increase in depression and anxiety since statins came out.

https://www.healthline.com/health/cholesterol-can-it-be-too-low#low-cholesterol3

I dont suffer from depression or anxiety, I feel fine. A little tired but I've been tired since I had kids lol

 

[Christine]

It's probably just the way you are. Despite what the total number is, you always want to make sure that your good cholesterol (HDL) is on the higher side and your bad (LDL) is on the lower side. The ratio is what is important.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I always thought the goal was for low cholesterol but is there a thing as too low?

The goal is to have a lower level of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs).

HDL helps remove LDL from your bloodstream. LDL is what causes buildup in your arteries, leading to a blockage. If your LDL is low, it's probably not that big of a deal that your HDL is also low.

There are plenty of ways to raise your HDL if it's a problem. Diet is a big one (olive oil, fatty fish) as well as exercise.

However, I would consult a doctor and see if they think your numbers are a problem.

 

[amberpi]

Mine was low about a decade ago when I was in mid-20s. The doc thought it was due to stress (IDK if that was it, but I was aggressively climbing my own corporate ladder and helping my ex husband grow his company which included the entertaining needs at our home), he recommended to eat more olive oil and avocados. It's still on the low side naturally, but that fixed it right up.