What are the standard values of cholesterol esterase? | Cholesterol esterase – It is important for this!

What are the standard values of cholesterol esterase?

A blood sample is needed to determine the level of cholesterol esterase. In this sample the amount can be measured in a medical laboratory. In a healthy person it is between 3,000 and 8,000 IU per liter. “IU” stands for international units and represents a quantity defined in medicine.

What happens in case of a cholesterol esterase deficiency?

Since cholesterol esterases play a central role in the body, the effects of a deficiency are also very diverse. If there are too few cholesterol esterases in the body, this leads to a lack of cholesterol, which the body needs in various places. As a result, many cells can no longer work as effectively.

The classic signs of this are a pronounced lack of drive and exhaustion. Some studies also show that a lack of cholesterol can lead to depression. A gender-specific difference has been found: in men, especially a low LDL value leads to a higher risk of developing depression. In women, on the other hand, a connection was found between a low HDL value and an increased risk of depression.

What happens when cholesterol esterase is elevated?

An increase in cholesterol esterase can have various consequences, but these depend on various factors. If there are more cholesterol esterases in the body, more cholesterol can be absorbed from food, transported to the liver and stored. However, this is of course only possible if there is a lot of cholesterol in the diet.

The cholesterol stored in the liver can be mobilised more quickly if the cholesterol esterases are increased. This can be advantageous for a quickly needed cell structure. Of course, it should not be forgotten that too much cholesterol in the body can lead to various disorders, such as diseases of the blood vessels (arteriosclerosis).

What is a cholesterol esterase inhibitor?

Cholesterol esterase inhibitors are substances that, by inhibiting cholesterol esterase, reduce the absorption and supply of cholesterol in the body. This can lower the cholesterol level in the body. This is useful, for example, to reduce the consequences of a long-term elevated cholesterol level and above all to prevent or reduce diseases of the arterial blood vessels (arteriosclerotic changes). More common and effective for this therapeutic goal, however, is the use of statins, which inhibit an enzyme that produces cholesterol (HMG-CoA reductase) and thus prevent the body from producing too much cholesterol.