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Risks of Low Cholesterol

High blood cholesterol levels increase a person's chances of developing cardiovascular disease, including a heart attack or stroke. However, cholesterol levels also can drop too low, which is associated with other health problems. Abnormally low cholesterol levels have been linked to a small increase in cancer risk, higher death rates in elderly people, negative behavior changes and premature births.

  1. Normal Levels

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, total cholesterol levels should be below 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), while low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), or "bad" cholesterol, levels should be below 100 mg/dL. Normal range for total cholesterol generally is considered to be between 150 and 250 mg/dL.

    Cancer

    • Some research indicates that very low levels of LDL cholesterol may raise the risk of certain types of cancer. For instance, a study published in the July 2007 issue of the "Journal of the American College of Cardiology" by Anthony N. DeMaria and Ori Ben-Yehuda discovered a slight increase in cancer occurrence among patients using statin drugs to lower their cholesterol. Researchers found about one extra case per 1,000 people, and they cautioned that the results established an association but not cause and effect. The people who developed cancer had achieved the lowest LDL cholesterol levels of the group.

    Elderly Concerns

    • A study published in the August 4, 2001, issue of "The Lancet" affirmed previous findings of increased death rates in elderly people with low cholesterol blood levels. The study, performed by researchers in the Honolulu Heart Program, indicated that long-term low cholesterol blood levels further raised the risk of death.

    Mental Health

    • A study published in a 2009 issue of the "Journal of Psychiatric Research" by the Geisinger Health System found that men diagnosed with depression and with low total cholesterol, identified as 165 mg/dL or less, were at very high risk for premature death from behavioral causes such as accidental poisoning, accidental injuries, drug overdose and suicide. The Mayo Clinic notes that low cholesterol levels are associated with depression and anxiety, and that low cholesterol decreases the brain chemical serotonin. Low serotonin levels are linked to depression, anger, insomnia and other mental health problems.

    Pregnancy Considerations

    • A study published in the October 2007 issue of the journal "Pediatrics" by Robin J. Edison et al. found a link between low cholesterol levels in pregnant women and premature births. Premature delivery among women with low total cholesterol was nearly 13 percent, compared with 5 percent among women with mid-levels of total cholesterol. Additionally, full-term infants of mothers with low total cholesterol had a lower birth weight than the other babies. Researchers also found an increased risk for a genetic abnormality that causes an abnormally small head (microcephaly) among babies born to mothers with low total cholesterol. The Mayo Clinic notes that cholesterol is essential during pregnancy for the placenta and the developing baby.

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