hormonal and metabolic disorders
Elevated HDL Cholesterol
Introduction
Elevated high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level is abnormally high levels of HDL cholesterol in the blood. (See also Overview of Cholesterol and Lipid Disorders .) A high level of HDL cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol) may decrease the risk of heart attacks and strokes. However, HDL cholesterol levels may be increased in some genetic disorders. In these disorders, the high HDL level may not protect against Acute Coronary Syndromes (Heart Attack; Myocardial Infarction; Unstable Angina) or Elevated HDL levels may be Primary: Caused by a genetic mutation Secondary: Caused by another disorder Primary causes of elevated HDL levels are Genetic mutations that result in overproduction or decreased removal of HDL Secondary causes of high HDL cholesterol include all of the following: Alcohol Use without cirrhosis An overactive thyroid gland ( Hyperthyroidism ) Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) None Drugs (for example, corticosteroids,insulin,phenytoin) High HDL cholesterol levels are diagnosed with blood tests that measure lipid levels in the blood. If a high HDL level is found in a person who is not taking lipid-lowering drugs, doctors look for the cause of the elevation. A disorder that is causing very high HDL levels is treated. 