Question: My total cholesterol level dropped from 220 to 162 within a year without diet change or medication. Should I be concerned?

Dr. Hibberd's Answer:

Small variations in cholesterol readings are not unusual, but more than 10 percent variation when not expected strongly suggests a laboratory error. A significant change in your diet coupled with decreased production in cholesterol is also possible. I suggest you use the average of two readings to make treatment decisions. Sounds like time to repeat your lipid level while fasting 12 hours. Cholesterol synthesis is often suppressed at times of illness and even with the presence of some malignancies. The most reliable readings are obtained after fasting and not at times during an acute illness especially a gastrointestinal illness.