Metabolic
Total Cholesterol
Unit: mg/dLID: M006
What This Test Measures
Total cholesterol in blood
Conventional vs. Functional Optimal Range
Conventional "Normal"
<200 mg/dLYour doctor says you're "fine" anywhere in this range
Functional Optimal
≤180 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
Total cholesterol alone is OUTDATED. You can have 180 with dangerous small LDL particles, or 240 with large fluffy protective LDL. Functional medicine cares about particle size/number (NMR lipoprofile), inflammation, and oxidation—not just this number.
When This Test Is High
Familial hypercholesterolemia, diet
When This Test Is Low
Rarely concerning unless very low (<120)
Related Conditions
Cardiovascular risk (context-dependent), hormone production
Recommended Follow-Up
Check LDL particle number, ApoB, inflammation (hs-CRP); not just total cholesterol