Can Extremely Low Cholesterol Be Dangerous?
I’m asking this because my father recently got back his blood test results and both his cholesterol came out to be extremely low. His total cholesterol is 105 (normal is 125-200) and his HDL is 25 (normal is greater or equal to 40).
But he eats so much steak (he loves red meat), eggs, and other cholesterol-rich foods so it doesn’t make any sense. Any ideas of what could have caused it? And how dangerous is it? Thanks.
abnormally low levels of cholesterol may indicate:
* hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid gland
* liver disease
* malabsorption
* inadequate absorption of nutrients from the intestines
* malnutrition
Found a few websites that may help you:
http://www.ctds.info/low_cholesterol.html
or
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cholesterol-level/AN01394
Just goes to prove the point that many people fail to realise – eating foods high in dietary cholesterol does not cause high blood cholesterol.
Yes, low cholesterol can be dangerous. It is better to have slgihtly higher cholesterol levels than too low levels. Cholesterol is needed among other things, to repair cell damage. But looking at the levels you said, I can’t see that being a massive problem.
Hope this helps.