Cholesterol synthesis marker
Quality and Security
High-quality testing run in a CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited lab in Santa Clara, California.
About Lathosterol
${ activeTab.tab_content.text }
Loading...
About Lathosterol
Overview and History
Lathosterol is a 3β‑hydroxysterol intermediate in the biochemical pathways that produce cholesterol. It is classified as a non‑cholesterol sterol and circulates in blood bound to lipoproteins. Analytical methods such as gas or liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry are commonly used to quantify plasma lathosterol.
Clinically, lathosterol emerged as a useful biomarker in research and practice for distinguishing endogenous cholesterol synthesis from intestinal absorption. Because it reflects pathway activity upstream of cholesterol itself, it serves as a surrogate for the body’s production rate and has been studied alongside plant sterols and other lipid markers to define metabolic patterns relevant to cardiovascular risk assessment.
Interpreting Highs and Lows
Elevated lathosterol levels typically indicate increased endogenous cholesterol synthesis relative to absorption. Higher values are often seen in metabolic states and physiological patterns that favor internal production of cholesterol. Low lathosterol levels suggest reduced synthesis or a relatively greater contribution from dietary/intestinal cholesterol absorption.
These signals are meaningful only in context: lathosterol is best interpreted with full lipid profiling (ApoB, LDL particle measures), plant sterols, metabolic markers, and clinical context to distinguish production-versus-absorption patterns and their implications for cardiovascular risk assessment.
Featured Test
Cardio Zoomer includes lathosterol to clarify whether a person’s lipid profile is driven more by endogenous cholesterol production or by intestinal absorption. This adds a mechanistic layer to standard lipid measures and helps clinicians interpret individual metabolic patterns, improving the precision of risk characterization and monitoring across the panel.
Related Articles
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, yet most testing still focuses on surface-level metrics like total cholesterol or...
What do you think of when you hear the term “cardiovascular disease?” Most people immediately think of high cholesterol, but cardiovascular risk goes ...
A common theme among many of my nutrition clients is that despite eating well, staying active, and managing stress, they feel worn down, inflamed, and...
When it comes to cardiovascular disease (CVD), many people immediately think of high cholesterol. High cholesterol—a specific type of dyslipidemia or ...
Results trusted by over 18,000 functional wellness professionals
We’re the leading provider of specialty wellness lab testing because we develop our testing with rigorous, ongoing research by top clinical experts, doctors, and scientists.
-1.png?width=542&height=427&name=shutterstock_2371998817%201%20(1)-1.png)
.png?width=207&height=108&name=Group%201410104259%20(1).png)
The gold standard of accuracy in the lab industry
Our tests run on a proprietary 3Dense microchip technology platform that boasts unrivaled specificity and sensitivity. While most other labs carry only CLIA certification, we're CAP-accredited by the College of American Pathologists.
.png?width=487&height=356&name=Frame%201410104197%20(3).png)
.png?width=187&height=63&name=category%20Card%20text%20(1).png)
.png?width=202&height=63&name=category%20Card%20text%20(2).png)
Mary Beth Augustine
DCN, RDN, FAND- Lead Clinical Educator
Suzanne Barker
MS, RDN, LD, CTTS, CGP- Clinical Educator
Suzette Garcia
MSc- MHNE- Clinical Educator
Brooke Mader Ganev
MS, CNS, LDN, FDN- Clinical Educator
Adair Anderson
MS, RDN, LDN- Clinical Educator
Lillie Luu Nguyen
DCN, CNS, LDN- Clinical Educator
Jason Barker
ND- Clinical Educator
Emaline Brown
ND- Clinical Educator
Dana Filatova
DCN, CNS, LDN- Clinical Educator
Jessy Dhanjal
ND- Clinical Educator
Nour Amri
MS, LDN, CNS, CKNS- Clinical Educator
