Metabolic
HDL Cholesterol
Unit: mg/dLID: M008
What This Test Measures
"Good" cholesterol; protective against heart disease
Conventional vs. Functional Optimal Range
Conventional "Normal"
>40 (men), >50 (women) mg/dLYour doctor says you're "fine" anywhere in this range
Functional Optimal
60-77 (men), 60-93 (women) mg/dLThis is where you actually feel great
The gap between these ranges is why you feel terrible with "normal" labs. Conventional medicine waits for disease. Functional medicine optimizes for health.
Gabriel's Take
Low HDL (<50 men, <60 women) is a red flag for metabolic dysfunction. Gabriel's optimal band: 60-77 for men, 60-93 for women. HDL quality matters too, and higher is not always better: in two large Copenhagen cohorts, very high HDL was linked to higher mortality in men and women. HDL is a marker, not something to push up with drugs or alcohol.
When This Test Is High
Usually protective
When This Test Is Low
Increased cardiovascular risk, metabolic syndrome
Related Conditions
Low HDL: cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, inflammation
Recommended Follow-Up
Increase exercise, healthy fats, reduce refined carbs