Ldl Cholesterol

In recent years, so much focus has been given to keeping your cholesterol levels optimized and lowering bad cholesterol, that the issue of having cholesterol that is too low has been overlooked. Having cholesterol levels that are too low can cause just as many health problems as having cholesterol that is too high.

The thing to remember is that in the end, health is individual. While there are things that benefit most people and can be generalized, there will always be those people that are exceptions to the rule. One of the issues people face when their cholesterol is extremely low is a class of disease called "connective tissue disorder".

Connective tissue disorder can be terminal if it goes untreated, and extremely low cholesterol on your total cholesterol test is a red flag for being susceptible to, or having, any of the connective tissue issues. It is also a red flag for an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism), liver disease (which is in the connective tissue disorder family), malnutrition and a disease like Crohn's or Celiacs.

Low cholesterol is also linked to depression and anxiety, as well as hostile behavior and stroke. Recent studies using monkeys showed researchers that extremely low cholesterol levels increased your likely of problems relating to aggression and accident, including homicide, fighting and other issues.

Several patients have reported anecdotal evidence of a higher cholesterol level easing the symptoms of mitral valve prolapse and bleeding tendencies. there have been no scientific studies designed to confirm these reports as yet. In the end, just know that when you get your cholesterol levels checked a low cholesterol level, below 180, may be just as big a red flag for you as a high cholesterol level over 220, especially if connective tissue diseases or depression runs in your family.