What is non-HDL cholesterol? Non-HDL cholesterol testing and standards

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Non-HDL cholesterol is one of the results of a blood test. When should its result bother us? What does non-HDL cholesterol mean? What are the standards for non-HDL cholesterol? What can cause a high non-HDL cholesterol result? Is too low non-HDL cholesterol good for our health?

Non-HDL cholesterol – what is it?

What exactly is non-HDL cholesterol? Cholesterol is a lipid substance from the sterol group that is present in all our cells. Cholesterol level is represented by the amount of this substance that is carried in the blood by lipoproteins. It is important that the level of non-HDL cholesterol is not too high as this can have serious effects on our health. Excess cholesterol is transported to the liver from where it is removed. As a result, the body is protected against heart disease.

Non-HDL cholesterol is the result of all types of so-called bad cholesterol. We can get its value by subtracting the cholesterol level from the total result.

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Non-HDL cholesterol – norms

The norm for healthy people and patients with low and moderate risk for non-HDL cholesterol is 145 mg / dl. For people at high risk, the norm of non-HDL cholesterol is 130 mg / dl. For people at very high risk, the norm of non-HDL cholesterol is only 100 mg / dl.

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Consult the test results with your doctor. If in doubt, you can get a second opinion and schedule an e-visit without leaving your home. Register and submit your medical records and talk to your doctor online.

Non-HDL cholesterol – study

To determine your cholesterol levels, your doctor will order a blood test called a lipidogram. This test measures the level of cholesterol in the blood. Some doctors may order a panel of tests that covers all fats in your blood, including cholesterol and triglycerides. When the test is performed, your doctor measures your HDL and LDL cholesterol. HDL is also known as “good” cholesterol, while LDL is often called “bad” cholesterol. Your doctor measures your non-HDL cholesterol by subtracting HDL cholesterol from your total cholesterol.

A specialist may ask for this test to be performed to suggest strategies to reduce the risk of heart disease. You may be at greater risk of heart disease if you have high levels of total cholesterol or if you have:

1. high blood pressure;
2. suffers from obesity;
3. diabetes or pre-diabetes;
4. struggles with stress.

In addition, some lifestyle factors may prompt your doctor to measure non-HDL cholesterol. It is about, among others:

1. smoking;
2. unbalanced diet;
3. lack of regular exercise.

To better assess your heart condition, your doctor may also order other tests:

1. an electrocardiogram (EKG) to assess how the heart is working;
2. stress test, in which the patient usually walks on a treadmill at a varying angle of inclination while connected to an EKG;
3. echocardiogram (echo of the heart);
4. cardiac catheterization, which allows doctors to take x-rays to find blockages in the arteries.

All of these tests provide the doctor with the information I need to help the patient improve and support heart health.

Also read: Take care of your heart. Six practical tips

Non-HDL cholesterol – indications for the test

Determination of non-HDL cholesterol levels is not recommended in all cases such as lipid profile tests. Especially if the patients are people with a high and very high risk of cardiovascular diseases and an elevated LDL parameter and with high hypertriglyceridemia. It should be added that the indication to perform a lipid profile is the need to monitor the effects of hyperlipidemia treatment.

It is recommended to perform a lipid profile every 3-5 years in adults without risk factors and in children between 9 and 11 years of age, and in adolescents between 17 and 21 years of age.

See also: Cardiovascular risk factors

Non-HDL cholesterol – the course of the study

The lipidogram is usually made from blood taken from a vein in the arm (sometimes from the fingertip). Blood should be drawn while the patient is fasting, 10-12 hours after the last meal.

Before the examination, the patient can only drink water.

Occasionally, the doctor will order an examination after a meal.

Remember that non-HDL cholesterol is an indicator calculated from total and HDL cholesterol measurements. Therefore, the lipidogram should be performed in relatively healthy people, because infections, injuries or a heart attack disturb the results. The same is true for pregnant women. In order to avoid any false results, they should be performed approximately 6 weeks apart after illness or childbirth.

Non-HDL Cholesterol – Interpretation of Results

The results of the study are interpreted based on the general health of the patient and belonging to a particular cardiovascular risk group. The factors taken into account when analyzing the results include: age over 40 in men and 50 in women, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, family history of cardiovascular diseases and low HDL cholesterol.

Also read: The risk of heart disease has to do with your blood type. Who is the most affected by a heart attack?

Non-HDL cholesterol and other types of cholesterol

Many people want to lower their blood cholesterol levels. But total cholesterol doesn’t tell us everything. To better understand your risk of heart disease, total cholesterol is broken down into:

1. high-density lipoprotein (HDL)
2. low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
3. triglycerides
4. non-HDL cholesterol

Let’s take a closer look at each type of cholesterol and what it means.

Cholesterol HDL

HDL is commonly referred to as “good” cholesterol. According to specialists, this is because it transports non-HDL cholesterol from the bloodstream to the liver. The liver then removes the non-HDL cholesterol from the body. This helps to prevent plaque build-up in your arteries. Naturally, high levels of HDL are good for our health. Certain substances, such as niacin, can raise HDL levels. However, a 2017 study found that taking niacin to increase HDL was not effective in preventing heart attacks.

LDL cholesterol

LDL is sometimes called “bad” cholesterol. If we have too much LDL cholesterol, it can clog our arteries and restrict blood flow. This, in turn, can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Triglycerides

Triglycerides are a type of fat you get from food. According to researchers, additional triglycerides can accumulate when we consume more calories than we burn them.

High blood triglycerides have been linked to heart disease. However, high triglyceride levels are often associated with other health conditions such as diabetes and obesity. In a 2019 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers were unsure whether triglycerides could cause heart disease or whether these other conditions could be responsible for triglycerides. As with LDL cholesterol, the goal is to keep your triglyceride levels low.

Very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), which are produced in the liver, are associated with triglycerides. There is no way to accurately measure VLDL. They are usually estimated as a percentage of the triglyceride value. This is important because VLDL transports triglycerides. One study from 2021 showed that VLDL can convert to LDL cholesterol over time.

Non-HDL cholesterol

As the name suggests, non-HDL cholesterol is basically the level of HDL, or “good” cholesterol, subtracted from your total cholesterol count. In other words, it is a measure of all the “bad” types of cholesterol. Ideally, this number should be lower than higher.

Too high non-HDL cholesterol

Non-HDL cholesterol is not always too high. Sometimes it can be too low. It is also not good for our health. Too low levels of non-HDL cholesterol can be a symptom of certain diseases such as hyperthyroidism, malnutrition, cirrhosis, as well as starvation and anemia diets. It can also occur with infection, sepsis, heart attack. Therefore, it is worth keeping non-HDL cholesterol levels within the normal range.

Cholesterol is not a completely bad factor. Both too high and too low cholesterol should signal us to change something in our daily diet. Cholesterol affects brain development especially in young people. The role of cholesterol is also to digest fats and excrete toxins from the body. Too low cholesterol may contribute to the weakening of immunity and, consequently, increase the risk of developing various types of infections. It is therefore worth eating regular meals, doing sports and taking care of a varied diet. These elements should be supported with appropriate supplementation, thanks to which the cholesterol level will be normalized.

Try Swanson’s Natural Cholesterol Dietary Supplement. The products have a natural composition, which contains vitamins and microelements, helpful in the fight against bad cholesterol. We also recommend the CHOLESTEROL Set consisting of natural products that support the regulation of cholesterol levels in the body. The set includes an artichoke elixir, tea and cholesterol capsules.

How to lower non-HDL cholesterol?

Too high levels of total cholesterol can cause hypothyroidism, liver disease, psoriasis, nephrotic syndrome, alcoholism, cholestasis, or an inadequate diet. Research is also beginning to highlight the importance of non-HDL cholesterol in assessing cardiovascular risk.

For example, in a 2016 study published in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, researchers looked at data from 9 clinical trials involving people with coronary artery disease. They found that non-HDL cholesterol was more strongly associated with disease progression than LDL cholesterol. In turn, researchers in a 2017 study published in the American Journal of Cardiology concluded that when it comes to predicting mortality from cardiovascular disease, non-HDL cholesterol may be more important than LDL cholesterol. The study involved over 4800 men and a 22-year follow-up.

Genetic conditions can also contribute to higher cholesterol levels. If we include the lack of physical activity and a poor diet, the risk of developing atherosclerosis, heart disease, stroke and coronary artery disease increases significantly.

Total cholesterol can be lowered by lifestyle changes. The diet should be lower in animal fats. It’s also a good idea to exercise regularly to stay fit. Avoid eating butter, eggs, giblets, chocolate, whole milk, cakes and cheese. The idea is to limit your consumption of saturated fat. It’s also important to avoid trans fats. They can be found in many baked goods, snacks such as popcorn, fast food or milk-free coffee cream.

Instead of eating processed foods, it’s better to focus on eating more whole foods. These include fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. You can also look for healthy protein sources like fish, skinless chicken, and lean red meat.

It is only when lifestyle changes do not reduce cholesterol that your doctor may prescribe medications to help with this. Do not take them on your own as it can only hurt you. The doctor should choose the right preparation for us that will help lower cholesterol.

Supportively, if your cholesterol level is too high, you can drink FOR CHOLESTEROL – herbal tea available on Medonet Market. We also recommend 1000ml Artichoke Juice, which has a positive effect on the body also in digestive problems.