Cholesterol GP appointments, bulk-billed.

High cholesterol is when you have too much LDL or not enough HDL, creating an imbalance that can lead to heart disease. Conversely, low cholesterol implies lower-than-recommended levels of HDL or LDL, which could lead to its own set of health problems such as hormonal imbalances and mental health issues.

Symptoms of High and Low Cholesterol

High cholesterol is often termed a “silent” disease as it usually doesn’t present noticeable symptoms. Regular screening is essential as untreated high cholesterol can lead to severe conditions, such as heart attack or stroke.

On the other hand, low cholesterol might present symptoms related to the conditions it can cause, such as:

• Depression or anxiety
• Risk-taking behaviour
• Digestive problems

Again, these symptoms are not directly tied to cholesterol levels, but to the potential conditions associated with it. Regular check-ups can help detect any abnormal cholesterol levels.

Causes of High and Low Cholesterol

High cholesterol can be caused by:

• Poor diet: Consuming saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol-rich food can raise your cholesterol level.
• Lack of exercise: Physical activity can help raise HDL cholesterol while lowering LDL cholesterol.
• Obesity: Being overweight can lower HDL cholesterol and increase LDL cholesterol.
• Smoking: This can lower HDL cholesterol and harm the walls of your blood vessels.
• Genetics: Sometimes, high cholesterol is due to genetic factors.

Low cholesterol can be caused by:

• Malnutrition or extreme dieting
• Hyperthyroidism
• Liver disease
• Malabsorption conditions such as celiac disease
• Certain genetic conditions

Diagnosis of High and Low Cholesterol

The primary method for diagnosing high or low cholesterol is a blood test, often called a lipid panel or lipid profile. This test measures total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. Your healthcare provider will interpret these results to evaluate your cholesterol levels.

Treatment Options for High and Low Cholesterol

High cholesterol treatment options include:

• Lifestyle changes: Adopting a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, quitting smoking, and moderating alcohol consumption.
• Medication: If lifestyle changes are not enough, doctors may prescribe cholesterol-lowering medications like statins, bile-acid-binding resins, cholesterol absorption inhibitors, or PCSK9 inhibitors.

Low cholesterol treatment involves addressing the underlying cause. This might mean:

• Nutritional counselling to ensure a well-balanced diet
• Treatment of underlying diseases like hyperthyroidism or liver disease
• Adjustment of current medications that may be causing low cholesterol