Hdl cholesterol normal range

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Understanding the Normal Range for HDL Cholesterol

Introduction to HDL Cholesterol

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is often referred to as "good" cholesterol because it helps remove other forms of cholesterol from the bloodstream. Maintaining an optimal level of HDL cholesterol is crucial for cardiovascular health.

Normal Range for HDL Cholesterol

The normal range for HDL cholesterol varies slightly depending on the source, but generally, it is considered that an HDL level of 40 mg/dL or higher is desirable for men, and 50 mg/dL or higher is desirable for women . Levels below these thresholds are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Variations in HDL Cholesterol Levels

Intra-Individual Variation

HDL cholesterol levels can vary within individuals due to biological fluctuations and analytical variations. A study found that the intra-individual variation for HDL cholesterol ranged from 3.6% to 12.4% over a year . This suggests that a single measurement might not always be reliable, and multiple tests may be necessary to get an accurate assessment.

Gender and Age Differences

Research indicates significant differences in HDL cholesterol levels based on gender and age. Women generally have higher HDL cholesterol levels than men. For instance, a study in Finland showed that the mean HDL cholesterol level for men was 1.23 mmol/L in 1982 and increased to 1.30 mmol/L in 1987, while for women, it was 1.46 mmol/L in 1982 and increased to 1.58 mmol/L in 1987 . Additionally, postmenopausal women tend to have higher HDL cholesterol levels compared to premenopausal women .

Impact of Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle changes such as weight loss through exercise or dieting can significantly impact HDL cholesterol levels. A study found that men who engaged in exercise training experienced greater increases in HDL cholesterol compared to those who lost weight through dieting alone. The increase was more pronounced in individuals with higher baseline HDL levels .

Health Implications of HDL Cholesterol Levels

Cardiovascular Disease Risk

Low HDL cholesterol levels are a known risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. A study in the United States reported that low HDL cholesterol levels (<40 mg/dL) are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death in the country .

Autoimmune Diseases

Interestingly, low HDL cholesterol levels have also been linked to a higher risk of autoimmune diseases. A large population-based study in Denmark found that individuals with HDL cholesterol levels below 1.0 mmol/L (39 mg/dL) had a significantly higher risk of developing autoimmune diseases compared to those with higher HDL levels .

Conclusion

Maintaining HDL cholesterol within the normal range is essential for reducing the risk of cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases. Regular monitoring and lifestyle modifications, such as exercise and a healthy diet, can help manage HDL cholesterol levels effectively. Understanding the variations and implications of HDL cholesterol levels can aid in better health management and disease prevention.

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Most relevant research papers on this topic

Intra-individual variation of serum cholesterol, triglycerides and high density lipoprotein cholesterol in normal humans.

Intra-individual variation in serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and HDL-chol levels is high, making single measurements misleading unless the value is significantly outside the normal range.

Observational StudyHighly Cited

1982·

148citations

·P. Demacker et al.

Automated enzymatic standardized lipid analyses for plasma and lipoprotein fractions.

Automated enzymatic methods using commercially available reagents can provide long-term CDC standardization of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and HDL cholesterol.

Highly Cited

1987·

524citations

·J. Mcnamara et al.

The effects of weight loss by exercise or by dieting on plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels in men with low, intermediate, and normal-to-high HDL at baseline.

Weight loss by exercise leads to greater HDL cholesterol increases than dieting, with greater HDL3 cholesterol increases in men with low HDL at entry.

RCTHighly Cited

1994·

102citations

·Paul T. Williams et al.

Low HDL Cholesterol and High Risk of Autoimmune Disease: Two Population-Based Cohort Studies Including 117341 Individuals.

Low HDL cholesterol levels are associated with a high risk of autoimmune disease in individuals from the general population.

Meta-Analysis

2019·

44citations

·C. M. Madsen et al.

Five-year trend in serum HDL-lipoprotein cholesterol in the Finnish population aged 25-64 years. A suggestion of an increase.

High density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in Finnish adults aged 25-64 years increased between 1982 and 1987, with a greater increase in women than in men, and the prevalence of low HDLC decreased.

Observational Study

1991·

17citations

·V. Salomaa et al.

Total and High-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Adults: United States, 2015-2016.

High total and low HDL cholesterol levels in adults in the United States declined from 2007-2008 to 2013-2014, but the trend remained unchanged from 2015-2016.

2017·

18citations

·Margaret D. Carroll et al.

Optimal low-density lipoprotein is 50 to 70 mg/dl: lower is better and physiologically normal.

Lowering LDL to 50 to 70 mg/dl is optimal for preventing atherosclerosis progression and coronary heart disease events, with no major safety concerns.

Highly Cited

2004·

511citations

·J. O’Keefe et al.

Serum cholesterol and triglyceride reference ranges of twenty lipoprotein subclasses for healthy Japanese men and women.

Gender and menopausal status significantly influence cholesterol and triglyceride levels, with significant correlations between values in various lipoprotein subclasses.

Observational Study

2013·

28citations

·N. Furusyo et al.

Reference Ranges for the Non-High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels in Japanese Children and Adolescents.

Non-HDL-C levels in Japanese children vary by age and sex, providing valuable tools for managing atherosclerosis prevention in childhood.

Observational StudyVery Rigorous Journal

2015·

25citations

·Yuriko Abe et al.

Atherosclerosis: Should we redefine the 'normal' LDL-cholesterol range?

Normal LDL-cholesterol levels may be higher than currently recommended for primary prevention, as they are associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in individuals without major cardiovascular risk factors.

Observational Study

2018·

6citations

·I. Fernández-Ruíz

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