10/26/2025
𩸠Cholesterol Truth Series: Post 2
What Happens When Cholesterol Is Too Lowâand Why Thatâs a Problem
Letâs talk about the other side of the spectrum. While high cholesterol gets all the headlines, low cholesterolâespecially in womenâcan quietly sabotage health in ways most doctors overlook.
Hereâs what functional medicine reveals:
đ§ Brain Fog, Anxiety, and Depression- Cholesterol is essential for building neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. When levels drop too low, mood stability and cognitive clarity suffer. Studies link suboptimal cholesterol to increased risk of anxiety, depression, and even dementia.
đ§Ź Hormone Deficiency-Estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and cortisol are all synthesized from cholesterol. Without enough raw material, hormone production faltersâleading to fatigue, irregular cycles, low libido, and poor stress resilience.
đĄď¸ Immune and Cancer Risk-Cholesterol supports immune cell function and cellular repair. Chronically low levels have been associated with higher rates of certain cancers and infections, suggesting that cholesterol plays a protective role beyond the heart.
đĽ Increased Stroke Risk- Ironically, while high cholesterol is linked to ischemic strokes, low cholesterol is associated with hemorrhagic strokesâwhere blood vessels rupture instead of clog.
đ§Š Metabolic Instability- Low cholesterol can signal poor nutrient absorption, chronic inflammation, or underlying metabolic dysfunction. Itâs not just a numberâitâs a clue.
So whatâs âtoo lowâ? While optimal ranges vary, total cholesterol consistently below 160 mg/dLâespecially with low HDLâraises red flags in functional medicine.
đż At Laurel Hill Wellness, we donât celebrate low cholesterolâwe investigate it. Because vibrant health isnât about hitting arbitrary targets. Itâs about understanding your bodyâs deeper needs.
đ Stay tuned for Post 3: The HDL MythâWhy âGoodâ Cholesterol Isnât Always Good Enough