Elevated total cholesterol in blood lipids
May 16, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Pan Yongyuan
Introduction
Slightly elevated total cholesterol levels may result from excessive intake of foods high in cholesterol, leading to a physiological increase. In most cases, no special treatment is required—adjusting the diet alone can improve the condition. However, it could also be caused by diseases such as cirrhosis or obstructive jaundice. In such instances, management based on the underlying cause, including medication or surgical intervention, can help improve the condition.
Elevated total cholesterol levels in blood lipids may be caused by physiological factors, or pathological conditions such as cirrhosis or obstructive jaundice. The specific analysis is as follows:
I. Physiological Factors
Most cholesterol in the human body comes from food. Consuming excessive amounts of high-cholesterol foods—such as animal organs and egg yolks—without timely digestion and absorption may lead to abnormal test results. No special treatment is required; maintaining a balanced daily diet can improve the condition.
II. Pathological Factors
1. Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis may be triggered by long-term alcohol consumption, severe obesity, or other reasons. This can impair cholesterol esterification, initially reducing blood cholesterol levels. However, as the disease progresses and liver cells become severely damaged, cholesterol levels may rise abnormally. Treatment may include medications such as furosemide tablets, terlipressin for injection, and metronidazole tablets, under medical supervision. In severe cases, procedures such as transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) or liver transplantation may be necessary.
2. Obstructive Jaundice
In cases of obstructive jaundice, abnormal test results may occur due to impaired bile excretion, leading to the presence of lipoprotein-X in the blood and overproduction of cholesterol in the liver. Medications such as potassium magnesium aspartate tablets and glucurolactone tablets may be used under medical guidance.
Besides the above factors, elevated cholesterol may also be associated with hyperlipidemia, coronary atherosclerotic heart disease, chronic renal failure, and other conditions. It is recommended that patients seek timely medical attention when experiencing discomfort and receive standardized treatment under a physician's guidance to promote recovery.
