High cholesterol is often blamed on unhealthy eating, but that’s only one part of the story. Many people make healthier food choices, exercise regularly, and still struggle with high cholesterol disorders. When that happens, it’s worth looking beyond your diet. Hormones have a powerful influence on how your body produces, processes, and removes cholesterol, and an imbalance can make it much harder to maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
At Philip Rabito, MD, board-certified endocrinologist and Mount Sinai trained specialist, Dr. Philip Rabito helps individuals throughout NYC identify hormonal and metabolic conditions that contribute to high cholesterol. Together with Kiran Srivastava, PA-C, our team provides comprehensive endocrine care for people.
High Cholesterol Isn’t Always About Diet
Diet, physical activity, family history, and age all affect cholesterol, but hormones also play an important role. They help regulate your metabolism, liver function, and the way your body uses fats.
When hormone levels become abnormal, cholesterol levels can rise even if your lifestyle hasn’t changed. That’s one reason some people have difficulty lowering their cholesterol despite making healthy choices.
Hormone Conditions That Can Raise Cholesterol
Several endocrine disorders are associated with unhealthy cholesterol levels, including:
- Hypothyroidism: A slow thyroid can reduce your body’s ability to clear LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol.
- Insulin resistance and diabetes: These conditions often increase triglycerides while lowering HDL, the “good” cholesterol.
- Menopause: Lower estrogen levels can contribute to higher LDL cholesterol and lower HDL cholesterol.
- Low testosterone: In some men, low testosterone levels are linked to unfavorable changes in cholesterol levels.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): Insulin resistance associated with PCOS can increase the risk of high cholesterol.
When Should You See an Endocrinologist?
High cholesterol that doesn’t improve with healthy lifestyle changes deserves a closer look. An endocrinologist can determine whether a hormone imbalance is contributing by reviewing your symptoms, medical history, and targeted laboratory testing.
Rather than focusing only on cholesterol numbers, Dr. Rabito evaluates your overall metabolic health to identify the underlying cause and recommend treatment that supports both your hormone health and cardiovascular wellness.
Find the Cause Behind High Cholesterol Today
Managing high cholesterol starts with understanding why it’s happening. At Philip Rabito, MD, we help individuals throughout NYC and Long Island identify hormone-related causes of high cholesterol and develop evidence-based treatment plans.
Call 877-703-3775 today to schedule your consultation and learn how endocrine care can help you achieve healthier cholesterol levels.
