So… I got my [annual] bloods back the other day.
Total cholesterol and LDL? Up.
Triglycerides? Down.
Now, if you stopped reading there, you’d be forgiven for thinking alarm bells should be ringing. But I’m not worried — and here’s why.
Back in April, I did something a little wild (even for me): I ran/walked 7 marathons in 6 days. Almost exactly 300km in under a week. Big effort, big challenge, big stress on the body. And while I finished with my heart full and my legs just about intact, my system has been in a long recovery mode ever since.
And that is the key to understanding what’s going on under the hood.
Let’s Talk Cholesterol: The Basics
First off, cholesterol isn’t a villain. It’s essential for life. We need it for hormone production, building cell membranes, brain health, and repairing tissue. Our liver makes it, and we also get a bit from our food, approx 20%. It’s part of our in-built emergency response and repair system.
So when the body’s under stress, like inflammation, injury, or recovery from something intense (hello, multi-marathon week), cholesterol production can ramp up. Why? Because the body’s trying to repair itself. Cholesterol helps heal microdamage, including that caused by things like heavy training, overreaching, or systemic stress.
Why My LDL Went Up
LDL (the so-called “bad” cholesterol) gets a bad rap, but it’s actually a transport mechanism — it carries cholesterol to tissues that need repairing. If you’re inflamed, LDL goes in to help. So when I saw my LDL had risen, I saw it for what it was: a snapshot of a system mid-repair.
It’s like seeing more builders at a worksite. It doesn’t mean the building’s falling down, it means there’s work going on.
Why Triglycerides Dropping Is a Good Sign
Interestingly, my triglycerides dropped since last year. That tells me my metabolism, particularly how I process fats and carbs, is actually working well. Low triglycerides are often a sign of good insulin sensitivity and lower overall cardiovascular risk.
So when you pair that with my context, ongoing recovery from an ultra-endurance challenge, it paints a picture of a body that’s healing and regulating, not one in crisis.
But What If This Was Your Blood Test?
Now, this is where nuance matters.
If someone who hasn’t just done seven marathons, hasn’t been training intensely, and isn’t in a recovery state sees high LDL or total cholesterol, it could be worth digging deeper. Are you sleeping well? Stressed? Eating lots of ultra-processed food? Not moving much?
Cholesterol can be a marker of chronic inflammation, poor metabolic health, or dietary imbalance. But without context, it’s just a number.
So What Am I Doing About It?
I’m not brushing it off, I’m just interpreting it properly.
I’ll keep monitoring.
I’ll retest in a few months.
I’ll support my body with good food, enough rest, movement that feels restorative, and probably a few swims and trail walks.
But I’m not panicking. Because when you know the story behind the numbers, you make better decisions.
If you’ve had bloods come back and you’re not sure what they mean — or you’re feeling worried — let’s chat. Numbers are only part of the picture. Context, history, and how you feel day to day all matter too.