The Lows of Cholesterol; Why Functional Ranges Matter
Written By Dr. Cheryl Burdette,
Director of Clinical Support & Education For Doctor's Choice
Read Article Here - Evexia Diagnostics
When most people think about cholesterol, they think lower is better. For decades, conventional medicine has focused almost exclusively on reducing cholesterol to prevent heart disease. But in functional and systems-based health, the conversation is more nuanced.
Cholesterol that is too low can be just as important to understand as cholesterol that is too high.
What cholesterol actually does (beyond heart health)
Cholesterol isn’t just a number on a lab report. It is a foundational molecule your body relies on every single day. Cholesterol is required to:
Build and maintain cell membranes
Produce steroid hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol)
Create vitamin D
Support brain and nervous system function
Aid in bile production for digestion and detoxification
Without adequate cholesterol, these systems can struggle to function optimally.
Why “normal” lab ranges can be misleading
Most standard lab ranges are designed to identify disease risk, not optimal function. If a value falls within the “normal” range, it’s often labeled as fine—even if it’s not ideal for how the body actually works.
For cholesterol, this means:
Labs focus on high cholesterol as a risk
Low cholesterol often gets ignored
Lipid particle size are often not tested
Symptoms are rarely connected back to the lab value
This is where functional ranges matter.
What is low cholesterol telling us?
Low total cholesterol or very low LDL can be associated with:
Hormone imbalances
Chronic stress or adrenal dysfunction
Poor nutrient absorption
Thyroid dysfunction
Inflammatory or autoimmune conditions
Long-term calorie restriction or under-eating
Certain medications (including statins)
In functional care, low cholesterol isn’t viewed as “good” or “bad” in isolation. It’s a signal that deserves context.
Potential symptoms linked to low cholesterol
Not everyone with low cholesterol will have symptoms, but some people may experience:
Fatigue or low energy
Anxiety or low mood
Brain fog or poor concentration
Low libido
Menstrual irregularities
Difficulty building muscle
Poor stress tolerance
These symptoms are often treated individually, while the underlying pattern goes unnoticed.
Functional ranges vs. conventional ranges
Conventional ranges answer the question:
“Are you at immediate risk for disease?”
Functional ranges ask:
“Does this value support optimal physiology?”
In functional health, cholesterol is interpreted alongside:
Hormones
Thyroid markers
Blood sugar and insulin
Inflammation
Nutrient status
Stress patterns
A cholesterol number that looks “great” on paper may not be supporting the body’s needs.
Why this is important
When patients are told:
“Your cholesterol is low—great job.”
They may:
Ignore ongoing symptoms
Continue restrictive diets that worsen the issue
Miss an opportunity to address deeper imbalances
Understanding why cholesterol matters empowers patients to see labs as information—not grades.
The goal isn’t high or low—it’s appropriate
Functional care doesn’t aim to drive cholesterol as low as possible. The goal is balance:
Enough cholesterol to support hormones, brain health, and resilience
Reduce inflammatory cholesterol molecules and support healthy types
Patterns that reflect nourishment, not depletion
Numbers that make sense alongside how the person actually feels
The takeaway
Low cholesterol is not automatically a win.
Just like high cholesterol, it deserves context, curiosity, and proper interpretation.
When patients understand functional ranges, they gain a clearer picture of how their body is adapting, compensating, or struggling—and that understanding is often the first step toward meaningful change.
