cardiovascular

HDL Cholesterol

HDL ('good' cholesterol) is the most consistently suppressed cardiovascular marker on AAS. Even low-dose TRT reduces HDL, and oral or high-dose anabolic cycles can drop HDL below 30 mg/dL — a range associated with significantly elevated coronary artery disease risk.

Unit
mg/dL
Standard Range
40–80 mg/dL
TRT Optimal
50–80 mg/dL (TRT; expect 10–20% reduction on AAS)
Common Issue on TRT / AAS

Oral 17-AA androgens (stanozolol, oxandrolone) cause the most severe HDL suppression, sometimes dropping levels to 15–25 mg/dL during a cycle, which substantially increases atherosclerotic risk.

Related Markers

Frequently Asked Questions

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GearCheck provides blood marker analysis and harm reduction education. Information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional.