/WHAT_IT_IS
HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is the "good" cholesterol — it transports cholesterol back to the liver for excretion. TRT and AAS notoriously suppress HDL.
/NORMAL_RANGE
Reference: >40 mg/dL. Optimal: >60.
What does high HDL mean?
- +Exercise, alcohol (modest), some genetic variants.
What does low HDL mean?
- +TRT and especially AAS, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, obesity, insulin resistance.
/ON_TRT
HDL drops on TRT — typically by 5–15 mg/dL. This was historically a concern for cardiovascular risk, but recent data suggests HDL is more of a marker than a mediator. Still, persistently low HDL (<35) combined with high LDL or ApoB is worth attention. Exercise and weight loss raise HDL more reliably than dietary interventions.
/RELATED
/TRACK_THIS
Track HDL in the app.
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