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The Sterols Panel is a specialized blood test that measures a group of non-cholesterol sterols—plant-based and cholesterol-related compounds that help assess how your body manages cholesterol. While standard lipid tests show how much cholesterol is in your blood, the Sterols Panel helps explain why cholesterol might be elevated—by distinguishing whether the underlying cause is excess absorption from the diet or increased internal production by the liver.
The panel typically includes four key markers. Campesterol and beta-sitosterol are plant sterols absorbed through the same intestinal pathway as cholesterol and are used to gauge how much cholesterol your digestive system is taking in. Lathosterol and desmosterol are intermediates in the cholesterol synthesis pathway and reflect how much cholesterol your liver is producing internally. These sterols aren’t harmful at normal levels, but they serve as surrogate markers that reveal patterns in your cholesterol metabolism.
For example, high absorption markers (elevated campesterol and beta-sitosterol) suggest your intestines are efficiently absorbing cholesterol from food. This can contribute to high LDL-C and ApoB, and often responds well to medications like ezetimibe, which blocks cholesterol absorption. In contrast, high synthesis markers (elevated lathosterol or desmosterol) point to increased cholesterol production by the liver—typically managed with statins, which suppress internal synthesis.
The Sterols Panel is often included in advanced lipid testing, especially for individuals with high LDL-C or ApoB despite a healthy lifestyle, poor response to standard therapies, suspected genetic lipid disorders, or a need for more personalized treatment. By showing whether high cholesterol is due to absorption or production, the Sterols Panel helps guide targeted, effective strategies to manage cardiovascular risk.
