Low cholesterol

[EasyEJL]

I'd like some more information/opinions on low cholesterol levels. I was replying in another thread but it got moved to the steroids forum. I'm not nor have been a steroid or prohormone user.

For me, i've always had a fairly low cholesterol, with excellent ratio, even tho I was a big tub of fat (5'9.5, 245lbd), generally in the 150-170 range. Since i've lost weight, started doing body building, and eaten more high omega 3/6/9 stuff, and clipped pretty much all bad fats, mine has dropped to around 129 as of last test (i'm a blood donor, so get a serum cholesterol every donation).

So is that too low cholesterol? And what would be a good level that still reduces heart disease risk?

And would just raising intake of red meats again raise it?

 

[EasyEJL]

nobody out there?

 

[JanSz]

CHOL below 140 leads to hypogonadism--as well as other hormonal deficiencies--as CHOL is the building block for so many of the substances we need.

This includes Vit D--which is really more a hormone than a "vitamin".

Going below 140 also cause polyneuropathy--which we worry about in diabetic patients. So why are doctors driving CHOL as low as possible in these folks?

How to raise cholesterol when low?

Quite few people on this board have this problem.

 

[EasyEJL]

So what would be a relatively safe OTC way to raise it slightly? It had been in the 150-170 range for the last 10 years, but with me working out regularly and eating a lowered carbohydrate but still clean fatwise high protein diet over the last 6 months has gotten me to 128 or 129, I can't recall which it was. Would brining more carbs and with it more insulin possibly help? or should I just wait till my next annual blood tests (january) and look at the whole panel before I get concerned?

 

[EasyEJL]

Thanks Dr. John! I'll just keep an eye on it, maybe if it drops further (next blood donation would be end of july, so i'll see serum cholesterol then) I'll see about getting my full panel a little earlier this year.

 

[EasyEJL]

It does make sense that with cholesterol being a part of normal hormone cycles that too low a level could create a domino effect. It may be that serum cholesterol isn't the best indicator of that part though, similar to the way overall testosterone doesn't necessarily correlate all that well with free testosterone. Dunno, but i'm going to watch my cholesterol more closely now.

Its a pity, it used to be fun to use the speakerphone at work to call into the blood donation line and get my results, so the guys on lipitor could hear it. There won't be quite so much joy in it next time.

 

[ItsHectic]

Do you eat eggs? if not try having a minimum of 2 per day.

 

[EasyEJL]

I'm more an occasional egger, rather than daily. Egglands best does sell the pre-shelled hard boiled eggs in a bag, i'm going to pick some up next time at the store

 

[1cc]

This includes Vit D--which is really more a hormone than a "vitamin".

In what way does Vit D act like a hormone?

 

[ItsHectic]

In what way does Vit D act like a hormone?

It interects with DNA expression like all other steroid hormones such as cortisol and estrogens etc.

 

[EasyEJL]

Hmmm thats interesting, do you have some links about vitamin d handy that talk more about that?

 

[Headdoc]

Hmmm thats interesting, do you have some links about vitamin d handy that talk more about that?

this is a good start.

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