Total Cholesterol 117 mg/dL: Is That Low?

Is Total Cholesterol 117 mg/dL Low, Normal, or High?

Total cholesterol 117 mg/dL is considered low based on standard clinical reference ranges. Most health organizations, including the American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, define desirable total cholesterol as under 200 mg/dL.

While being well below that threshold might sound like great news, a reading of 117 mg/dL is unusually low and may warrant a closer look. Your doctor will want to understand why your cholesterol is this low, especially if it has dropped significantly from previous readings.

Low total cholesterol is not automatically a problem, but it is worth exploring the full picture behind the number.

A Total Cholesterol level of 117 mg/dL falls notably below the typical reference range, signaling a potentially concerning degree of hypocholesterolemia rather than a healthy low. This specific value is more than just 'low'; it's significantly beneath the expected minimum, prompting a careful investigation into its underlying cause.

Such a pronounced decrease can sometimes indicate conditions like an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), which accelerates the body's metabolism and cholesterol clearance, or various forms of malabsorption where the body struggles to absorb fats and nutrients from food.

Severe liver disease, which impairs the liver's ability to produce cholesterol, or states of profound malnutrition could also contribute to such a low reading. To understand why your total cholesterol is 117 mg/dL, your doctor will likely recommend additional tests.

These commonly include a complete lipid panel to assess individual cholesterol components like LDL and HDL, thyroid function tests to screen for hyperthyroidism, and liver function tests to check for hepatic issues.

Further investigation for malabsorption, such as a celiac disease panel or stool tests, might also be considered. Patients often associate low cholesterol with good health, but an unusually low level like this is rarely a sign of optimal well-being.

Instead, it frequently points to an underlying medical condition that, once identified and managed, is crucial for your overall health.

Hidden Risk of Total Cholesterol 117 mg/dL

A total cholesterol of 117 mg/dL often gets overlooked because most conversations about cholesterol focus on high readings. But very low cholesterol carries its own set of concerns that are less commonly discussed. Research from the National Institutes of Health has explored links between very low cholesterol and certain health outcomes that deserve attention.

A total cholesterol level of 117 mg/dL, falling significantly below the typical reference range, raises concerns primarily related to cellular integrity and hormonal synthesis. This low level can impair cell membrane fluidity and function, potentially affecting nerve impulse transmission and the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K), which are crucial for vision, bone health, and antioxidant defense.

Furthermore, cholesterol serves as a precursor for vital steroid hormones, including cortisol, aldosterone, and sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone. Insufficient substrate can disrupt endocrine pathways, potentially leading to adrenal insufficiency symptoms such as fatigue, muscle weakness, and mood disturbances, or affecting reproductive health and immune response.

• Some studies have found associations between very low total cholesterol and increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke, though the connection is still being researched
• Cholesterol plays a critical role in hormone production, cell membrane structure, and vitamin D synthesis. Very low levels may affect these processes
• Low cholesterol can sometimes be a sign of an underlying condition such as hyperthyroidism, liver disease, malnutrition, or malabsorption issues
• Certain medications, chronic infections, or severe illness can push total cholesterol unusually low as a secondary effect
• Mental health research has explored potential links between very low cholesterol and mood changes, though findings remain mixed and no firm conclusions have been drawn

What Does a Total Cholesterol Level of 117 mg/dL Mean?

Total cholesterol is a combined measurement of several types of cholesterol and fats in your blood. The basic formula is: total cholesterol equals LDL cholesterol plus HDL cholesterol plus 20 percent of your triglycerides. So when you see a total cholesterol number, it reflects multiple components working together rather than a single type of fat.

The most probable causes for a total cholesterol reading of 117 mg/dL include significant dietary deficiencies, particularly in saturated and monounsaturated fats, coupled with an overemphasis on very low-fat or restrictive diets over extended periods.

Malabsorption syndromes, such as celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease, can also drastically reduce cholesterol absorption and production, leading to such low values. Certain medications, especially statins used aggressively to lower cholesterol, or antifungals like ketoconazole which inhibit cholesterol synthesis, could also drive levels this low.

Finally, chronic liver disease can impair the liver's ability to synthesize cholesterol, contributing to a marked reduction.

Your body needs cholesterol. It is not simply a harmful substance. Cholesterol is essential for building and maintaining cell walls, producing hormones like estrogen and testosterone, creating bile acids that help you digest food, and synthesizing vitamin D. Every cell in your body uses cholesterol as part of its structure.

At 117 mg/dL, your total cholesterol is significantly below the desirable range of 150 to 199 mg/dL. For some people, this is simply their natural baseline driven by genetics, diet, and lifestyle.

For others, it could signal that something else is going on. Your doctor will want to look at each component of the lipid panel individually. For example, if your HDL (the protective cholesterol) is very low, even a low total number might not be as reassuring as it first appears.

It is also important to understand that cholesterol levels are just one factor in overall health. A reading of 117 mg/dL does not tell the full story on its own. Your doctor will interpret it alongside your other lab results, medical history, and lifestyle factors to form a complete assessment.

Lifestyle Changes for Total Cholesterol 117 mg/dL

If your total cholesterol is 117 mg/dL and your doctor has ruled out underlying conditions, the focus shifts to making sure your body is functioning well overall. Regular physical activity supports healthy cholesterol balance.

The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week, such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling. Exercise tends to raise HDL cholesterol, which is especially important when total cholesterol is on the low side.

Given a total cholesterol of 117 mg/dL, immediate follow-up is essential. Schedule a detailed review with your physician to assess symptoms and investigate underlying causes, focusing on gastrointestinal health and endocrine function.

A repeat lipid panel is warranted to confirm the value and examine individual lipoprotein fractions (LDL, HDL, Triglycerides) to understand the composition of the lipid profile. Consider dietary recall with a registered dietitian to identify potential nutritional gaps, particularly regarding healthy fats.

If medication is suspected, discuss potential dosage adjustments or alternatives with your prescribing doctor, avoiding abrupt changes. Track energy levels, signs of vitamin deficiency, and any hormonal imbalance symptoms.

Maintaining a healthy weight is another key factor. Being significantly underweight can contribute to low cholesterol levels. If weight loss has been unintentional, it is worth mentioning to your healthcare provider. Sustainable body weight management supports stable cholesterol production.

Sleep quality also plays a role in cholesterol regulation. Research suggests that chronic sleep deprivation can alter lipid metabolism. Aiming for seven to nine hours of quality sleep per night supports your body's natural processes, including cholesterol production and balance.

Stress management matters as well. Chronic stress affects your hormonal balance, and since cholesterol is a building block for hormones, prolonged stress may influence your lipid profile in subtle ways. Finding consistent ways to manage stress, whether through exercise, spending time in nature, or simply resting, contributes to overall cardiovascular and metabolic health.