My dad has had very low HDL numbers for years. (His LDL is fine.) Recently, it has dropped extremely low. His last blood tests, which they did more than once over recent months, had his HDL at 4. That's right 4. He has been to multiple doctors and specialists and none of them have been able to figure out why or offer any suggestions, including medications, that have made much of a difference. They have just told him that they have never seen anyone with readings like that.

He is going to yet another specialist this week, but it is very frustrating. Anyone out there have any insight they can provide me in supporting him?

I only know of three things to raise low HDL... the first is niacin, the second is exercise, and the third is fat intake (butter, dairy, animal fat from beef and pork and chicken).

But an HDL of 4 is just wild... :eek:

There is a study published in the November 14, 2003, issue of Circulation Research, a journal of the American Heart Association, and are part of ongoing research at the University of Maryland on low HDL families. It says that for HDL below 20, then there is a higher likelihood that there is a genetic problem. The subjects in this research had HDL of 6.

The genes in question are two genes, known as apo A-I and LCAT, which frequently have defects responsible for low HDL levels.

VentureMan,
Thank you for your replies. He has been working on all items in your first post. The second was useful. I passed on your information and the article. Hopefully it can be of use in getting to a root cause.

Thanks again,

MountainReader

I was surfing the web today looking for information on raising HDL and ran across a condition called, Tangier disease. Have they checked you dad for this? I really don't know anything about it except it causes extremely low HDL levels. From my experience it is difficult to raise hdl when you are starting out with it being low. Mine is a bit better than your fathers but only in the 25-27 range. I haven't tried niacin or booze yet but so far diet and exercise have had very little effect. I have decided to focus more on a healthy diet with lots of antioxidants and get plenty of exercise. I hope everything goes well for your dad.