Having a high cholesterol level can be worrying for your future health and disheartening, especially if you are trying to live a healthy lifestyle. High cholesterol can also cause some unwanted changes in your body. One question that you may have is, can high cholesterol cause fatigue? This article will explore the answer to this question and what you can do about it.
An Overview of Cholesterol
Before answering the question, can high cholesterol cause fatigue, it’s important to understand exactly what cholesterol is and what its role is. Cholesterol is a sterol that is waxy and fat-like. It’s essential to your health, with many important roles, such as (1):
- A key part of your cell membranes
- A precursor for:
- Vitamin D
- Steroid hormones such as cortisol and aldosterone
- Sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone
- An ingredient in bile salt, which helps with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
Your liver produces cholesterol, and you can also consume cholesterol in food products. Foods high in cholesterol include:
- Animal meat
- Full cream dairy
- Fried foods
- Baked goods and sweets
What Happens When Your Cholesterol Is High?
When LDL cholesterol is high, it accumulates in the bloodstream. This can build up plaque in the arteries, increasing the risk of high blood pressure and heart attacks.
With high cholesterol, there are very few symptoms of it, and many people are unaware that they have high cholesterol until they have a blood test. However, some symptoms that may occur are:
- High blood pressure
- Dizziness
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
While high blood pressure is directly linked to high cholesterol, the other symptoms are more indirectly linked to high cholesterol.
How Can High Cholesterol Cause Fatigue?
When cholesterol is high, it starts to build up in your arteries, forming a plaque. This is called atherosclerosis. This plaque causes your arteries to narrow, reducing the blood flow. This reduces the oxygen supply to your heart, and the lack of oxygen can make you feel tired. Additionally, because the oxygen supply is lower, your heart will start working harder to pump more blood. This will result in your body using more energy, contributing to tiredness.
When Can High Cholesterol Cause Fatigue?
There is no timeline for when high cholesterol causes fatigue. For some, the fatigue may be experienced shortly after cholesterol levels become high, while for others, it may only be experienced when cholesterol has been high for a long time. The question of when high cholesterol can cause fatigue is also tough because many people do not know that they have high cholesterol, which makes it difficult to quantify.
Can High Cholesterol Cause Fatigue for Everyone?
Not everyone with high cholesterol may feel tired. It also depends on how thick the plaque in your arteries is. There are four different stages of atherosclerosis. These are:
- Stage One: Cholesterol accumulates in your arteries, resulting in a fatty streak. However, with a healthy lifestyle, this can be reversible.
- Stage Two: Plaque begins to build up in your arteries; this plaque is not reversible.
- Stage Three: The plaque begins to become unstable and may rupture. This increases the risk of a stroke or heart attack.
- Stage Four: The artery becomes completely blocked, and blood cannot flow through. This stage can be life-threatening.
Individuals with a higher stage of atherosclerosis may feel more tired than those with a lower stage. However, it all depends on the individual.
Can High Cholesterol Cause Fatigue Permanently?
This depends on the individual. If high cholesterol levels are found and caught early, the damage may be reversible, which may help reduce feelings of fatigue.
However, if there is already damage to the arteries and the irreversible atherosclerosis, the fatigue may persist. However, with lifestyle modifications, the fatigue may improve.
What Else Could Be Causing My Fatigue?
While it is important to ask if high cholesterol can cause fatigue, it’s also important to remember that many other factors may cause fatigue. Some of these include:
- A higher weight
- Lack of exercise
- Lack of sleep
- Poor nutrition
- Health conditions
- Adrenal Fatigue
- Thyroid issues
- Anemia
- Nutritional Deficiency
- Toxins
Why Is My Cholesterol High When I Eat Healthy?
A diet high in cholesterol can be one cause of high cholesterol. However, several other factors may contribute. This could be why some individuals who eat healthily still have high cholesterol.
These factors include:
- Genetics
- Age
- Gender
- Weight
- Activity levels
- Smoking
Genetics
Your genes can put you at risk for developing high cholesterol. If you have a family history of high cholesterol, it may be genetic. Genetic tests can also help determine whether or not you have genes that put you at risk. Some tests that could show advanced cardiovascular risk are Lp(a), ApoB, LP-PLA2, and hs-CRP. Ask your doctor for these advanced cholesterol markers to understand your genetic risk better.
Age and Gender
Cholesterol levels and the risk of high cholesterol increase as you get older.
Men are also at higher risk for developing high cholesterol compared to premenopausal women. However, after menopause, women are at higher risk. This is due to the hormonal changes that can affect cholesterol.
Activity Levels
A lack of activity can contribute to a slower metabolism or the rate at which you burn energy. This affects fat metabolism and can increase fat storage. It can also increase LDL cholesterol and reduce HDL cholesterol.
Weight
Having a higher weight can mean that you are storing more fat. Fat can produce cholesterol, and if your fat is higher than the optimal range, it can produce more cholesterol, which can contribute to higher cholesterol levels.
Smoking
The nicotine from tobacco can cause a decrease in HDL cholesterol and can cause damage to your arteries. These two factors can increase levels of LDL cholesterol.
Stress
During stress, your body produces cortisol, a stress hormone, to help you cope. While the process is natural, constant stress will result in your body continuing to produce cortisol. This increase in cortisol can increase your glucose levels, resulting in a higher production of triglycerides. This can contribute to higher cholesterol levels, making it important to be mindful of your stress levels.
What Should I Do If My Cholesterol Is High?
If your cholesterol levels are high, discuss the best way forward with your healthcare provider. Medication may be recommended for individuals who have high cholesterol, are at risk for a stroke or heart attack, or are of a higher age. If the cholesterol levels are borderline, lifestyle interventions may be recommended, including monitoring for individuals who are not at risk. Medication may be recommended if the levels are above the optimal range.
It’s important to remember that even if you are on medication to manage your cholesterol levels, you should go to your healthcare provider for regular checkups and blood tests to ensure that the medication is working. Additionally, it’s important to look at your lifestyle and make modifications if necessary, as lifestyle modifications can work together with the medication to ensure optimal levels.
Should I Get My Cholesterol Levels Checked If I Am Feeling Fatigue?
Getting your cholesterol levels checked regularly is important. However, if you feel tired more than usual, other causes may exist. Additionally, some symptoms of high cholesterol can be caused by other conditions. One condition that can mimic some of the symptoms of high cholesterol is Adrenal Fatigue. This is a condition where the body cannot keep up with long-term stress, resulting in various symptoms. These symptoms can be individualized and depend on various factors.
Adrenal Fatigue occurs during long-term stress when your adrenal glands become depleted of cortisol. When this happens, the NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) Stress Response System, a six-circuit system of related organs that support your body during stress, becomes imbalanced. This results in a condition where the body cannot keep up with long-term stress, resulting in various nonspecific symptoms such as tiredness, sleep disturbances, anxiousness, and weight gain. Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue will depend on where the imbalance is occurring.
One of the circuits that can become imbalanced is the Cardionomic circuit. This circuit comprises your adrenal glands, cardiovascular, and autonomic nervous systems and manages stress in acute situations. Symptoms of an imbalance in this circuit include:
- Dizziness
- Breathlessness
- Changes in blood pressure
- Changes in heart rate
If you are currently experiencing these symptoms, it is important to see a healthcare professional to determine the cause.
What Can I Do If My Cholesterol Levels Are High?
Various lifestyle interventions may help to assist with cholesterol levels. These include:
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Keeping active
- Stop smoking
- Supplementation
Supplementation may help with optimal cholesterol levels and can be a great addition for those who are already following a healthy lifestyle and have high cholesterol. However, many supplements on the market promise to help, making choosing it confusing.
In the Dr. Lam supplement range, two supplements may help. These are Berbeblast and RQ Plus.
Berbeblast by Dr. Lam
This supplement consists of berberine, bitter melon, and banaba leaf. These three ingredients all have promising findings on improving cholesterol levels and helping to support glucose levels and metabolism (3,4,5). The change in metabolism may also help to indirectly assist with maintaining optimal cholesterol levels. This supplement is available in capsule form, and the recommended dose is one to two capsules a day with meals.
RQ Plus by Dr. Lam
Consisting of red yeast rice, silymarin, alpha lipoic acid, and coenzyme Q10, this supplement may help with improving cholesterol levels. It also provides a source of antioxidants to your body. Red yeast rice can directly help with reducing LDL cholesterol. A recent study found that, versus a placebo, red yeast rice reduced LDL cholesterol by 15-34%. Monacolins, specifically monacolin K, are a component of red yeast rice that inhibits the actions of the enzyme responsible for making cholesterol (6). Additionally, it may help to support your liver function, indirectly supporting your cholesterol levels. RQ Plus by Dr. Lam is in capsule form, with the recommended dose being one to two capsules a day with a meal.
Can High Cholesterol Cause Fatigue: Closing Thoughts
Many individuals who are currently experiencing high cholesterol ask, “Can high cholesterol cause fatigue?” The answer is that while it can, it’s also important to remember that many other factors, such as a sedentary lifestyle or a diet high in fat and animal foods, may also cause fatigue.
If you are currently experiencing fatigue and are unsure what is causing it, call us directly at +1 (626) 571-1234 for a free initial consultation.
