Want to know exactly what your 'good cholesterol' (HDL Cholesterol) level is?

When you pick up a blood report, especially a cholesterol report, you may have noticed that there are many words like LDL, VLDL, and Triglycerides, as well as a value called HDL. Seeing these can sometimes make you a little confused, right? You may be wondering, "Which of these is good? Which is bad?" Don't worry. Today, we will talk about one of these, HDL, which many people call 'good cholesterol', in a very simple way that you can understand.

Simply put, what is this HDL cholesterol?

HDL cholesterol is something that is found in your blood. To be precise, it is something that helps your doctor get an idea of ​​your risk of cardiovascular disease . The blood test you have to check your cholesterol is called a ``Lipid Panel''. That is where you will see this HDL value (sometimes called HDL-C) in that report.

Unlike the LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) that we usually talk about, a slightly higher than normal level of HDL cholesterol indicates that your risk of heart disease is lower. That's why we call it "good cholesterol."

However, it is not good to have too much of it. If your HDL level is abnormally high, it may indicate that you have an imbalance in your cholesterol levels (dyslipidemia). Therefore, your doctor will always try to help you keep your HDL level within the appropriate range.

What does the word HDL mean?

HDL stands for High-Density Lipoprotein . A lipoprotein is a small particle made up of lipids (like fat) and proteins.

Think of the cholesterol in our bodies as passengers. These passengers cannot travel through the blood alone. They need vehicles to get around. Those vehicles, or 'buses', are what we call lipoproteins.

This HDL is just one type of 'bus' that travels in your blood. There are also other types of buses called LDL and VLDL. Your ``Lipid Panel'' report shows how much cholesterol of each type was traveling in your blood at the time of the blood draw.

That means, HDL and HDL cholesterol are not really the same thing. HDL is for the 'bus', and HDL cholesterol is for the passengers (cholesterol) on that bus. But in common parlance, we talk about both the same thing.

What is the special reason why HDL is 'good cholesterol'?

The main reason HDL particles are "good" is that medical research has found that high levels of them reduce the risk of heart disease.

The main job of HDL is to collect unwanted, excess cholesterol in the body and carry it to the liver. Like someone picking up trash from the street. The liver then breaks down this cholesterol and removes it from the body in the feces.

This is a very good thing. Because, if cholesterol in the blood increases, it can be deposited on the walls of the blood vessels, forming what we call ``plaque''. This can cause blockage of the blood vessels and lead to serious conditions like heart attacks and strokes.

So, we need to have enough HDL 'buses' in our blood to pick up the extra cholesterol in our body. Not only that, HDL helps fight inflammation in the body and prevent blood clots . That's why we love HDL so much, it's like our heart's best friend.

What are the recommended values ​​for HDL cholesterol?

This table shows normal and abnormal values ​​for HDL cholesterol levels in adults. These values ​​vary slightly by gender.

What are the causes of low HDL levels?

There are several reasons why your HDL cholesterol levels may be low. Some of them are:

• Metabolic syndrome: This is a combination of factors that increase the risk of heart disease. Low HDL is one of its characteristics.
• Excess body weight (BMI greater than 25): Having excess body fat can lower HDL levels.
• Smoking and tobacco use: Not only cigarettes and bidis, but also the nicotine in e-cigarettes lowers HDL.
• Insulin resistance: When body fat increases, it becomes harder for insulin to control blood sugar. This is also a cause of low HDL.
• Genetic conditions: Some hereditary conditions such as `Familial combined hyperlipidemia`, `ApoA1 deficiency`, `Tangier disease` can cause low HDL levels.
• Some medications you take: For example, some beta-blockers, hormones, or diuretics (water pills) can temporarily lower HDL. But don't stop taking your doctor's prescribed medication because of this. Doing so can increase your risk of heart disease.

Why do HDL levels increase unnecessarily?

Sometimes HDL levels can be higher than 80 mg/dL. This can be caused by:

• Excessive alcohol use
• Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland)
• Conditions such as ``Primary biliary cholangitis``
• Some changes in genes
• Side effects of some medications

Can I control my HDL level?

Yes, you definitely can! If your HDL level is low, your doctor will advise you on ways to increase it. These include:

• Eating heart-healthy foods (e.g. vegetables, fruits, fish containing omega-3, nuts).
• Engaging in daily exercise.
• Maintaining a healthy weight that suits you.

If your HDL level is abnormally high, your doctor will investigate the cause and prescribe treatment if necessary.

It can be a little difficult to understand the values ​​on your cholesterol report. But don't be confused. If your HDL level is outside the normal range, your doctor is there to find the cause and treat it. Remember, when making decisions about your health, your doctor is your best partner. Ask him or her any questions you have.