What Causes Elevated Total Cholesterol Level?

Elevated total cholesterol level can have various causes, ranging in severity from 'troubling' to 'very serious'. 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 total 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 total cholesterol level" as a symptom. Here are eight of many possibilities (more below):

Manganese Need
EFA Need
Dehydration
Need For Preventive Health Measures
Mercury Toxicity
A Weight Problem
Nephrotic Syndrome
Elevated Insulin Levels

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:

dry eyes

adverse reaction to delayed meals

frequent confusion/disorientation

dark spots on gums

jaw lymph node problems

high systolic blood pressure

thin cracked heel calluses

edema of the abdomen

occassional 'chills'

leg cramps caused by walking

cold sores

caffeinated soft drink consumption

... and more than 120 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 total cholesterol level:

Cause	Probability	Status
Nephrotic Syndrome	94%	Confirm
Manganese Need	15%	Unlikely
Need For Preventive Health Measures	22%	Unlikely
Mercury Toxicity	0%	Ruled out
A Weight Problem	0%	Ruled out
Dehydration	0%	Ruled out
Elevated Insulin Levels	0%	Ruled out
EFA Need	0%	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, Total. What is your total cholesterol level? Unit: mg/dL [mmol/L]

Possible responses:

→ Don't know
→ Under 150 [3.89]
→ 150 to 200 [3.89-5.19] (normal)
→ 201 to 240 [5.20-6.22] (mildly elevated)
→ Over 240 [6.22] (elevated)

Based on your response to this question, which may indicate unknown total cholesterol level, low total cholesterol level, normal total cholesterol level, increased total cholesterol level or high total cholesterol level, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as:

Dehydration

Hypothyroidism

High cholesterol is one of the consequences of untreated hypothyroidism.

Syndrome X / Metabolic Syndrome

EFA (Essential Fatty Acid) Requirement

Elevated Insulin Levels

Manganese Requirement

See the link between Low HDL/LDL Cholesterol Ratio and Manganese Need.

Mercury Toxicity (Amalgam Illness)

Elevated total cholesterol greater than 270mg may be associated with mercury toxicity.

Nephrotic Syndrome

Problems Caused By Being Overweight