[Part 9] Cholesterol Reference Values in Japan

In the previous post, I talked about the roles and types of cholesterol.

This time, I will explain cholesterol reference values.

Cholesterol reference values in Japan

The diagnostic criteria for "dyslipidemia" listed in the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's "Health Japan 21 Action Support System - Health Promotion Support Net" defines an LDL cholesterol level exceeding 140 mg/dL as "hyper-LDL cholesterolemia".

However, these reference values do not take "age" or "gender" into account. For example, it is said that women around menopause are more likely to have higher cholesterol levels because the secretion of estrogen (female hormone) decreases.

On the other hand, the Japanese Society of Ningen Dock and Preventive Medical Care sets an LDL cholesterol level of "180 or higher" as the criterion for abnormality.

Also, actual treatment policies are generally determined based on comprehensive risks, not just LDL levels, such as age, gender, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking history, and history of cardiovascular disease.

While I cannot easily say from my position that "it is okay to slightly exceed the reference value," I have also heard that if you force it down with medication, "it may drop too much and cause other problems".

References

• Oil Class Taught by an Oil-Obsessed Doctor

• Fascinating Facts About Lipids That Will Keep You Awake

• Health Japan 21 Action Support System - Health Promotion Support Net

• Japanese Society of Ningen Dock and Preventive Medical Care "How to Read Test Results"

• Oishi Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Clinic "What are the reference values for women's LDL cholesterol? Causes for high levels and effective ways to lower them"

Note: The content of this article is summarized based on my own research from multiple books and videos. Please understand that there may be points that differ from the authors' views.