What Causes Elevated LDL Cholesterol Level?

Elevated LDL cholesterol level can have various causes, just like most other symptoms. Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.

Diagnosis is usually a complex process due to the sheer number of possible causes and related symptoms. In order to diagnose elevated LDL cholesterol level, we could:

Research the topic
Find a doctor with the time
Use a diagnostic computer system.

The process is the same, whichever method is used.

Step 1: List all Possible Causes

We begin by identifying the disease conditions which have "elevated LDL cholesterol level" as a symptom. Here are three possibilities:

Atherosclerosis
High LDL/HDL Ratio
Heart Disease

Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist

We then identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:

African ethnicity

heart attack(s) in father

no vitamin E supplementation

discontinued multiple vitamin use

leg cramps caused by walking

current birth control pill use

long-term hypertension

history of birth control pill use

atherosclerosis

angry/hostile disposition

recent onset hypertension

pain between shoulder blades

... and more than 30 others

Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause

A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of elevated LDL cholesterol level:

Cause	Probability	Status
Heart Disease	97%	Confirm
High LDL/HDL Ratio	28%	Unlikely
Atherosclerosis	4%	Ruled out

* This is a simple example to illustrate the process

Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis

The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.

If you indicate having had recent lab tests, The Analyst™ will ask further questions including this one:

Cholesterol, LDL. What is your fasting LDL cholesterol level? Unit: mg/dL [mmol/L]

Possible responses:

→ Don't know
→ Under 100 [2.59] (normal/optimal)
→ 100 to 130 [2.59-3.38] (borderline high)
→ 131 to 160 [3.39-4.14] (high)
→ Over 160 [4.14] (very high)

Based on your response to this question, which may indicate optimal LDL cholesterol level, slightly high LDL cholesterol level, high LDL cholesterol level or very high LDL cholesterol level, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as:

Atherosclerosis

Coronary Disease / Heart Attack

LDL/HDL Ratio, High

... and also rule out issues such as:

Atherosclerosis

Coronary Disease / Heart Attack

Your LDL Cholesterol Level