HIGH CHOLESTEROL & LIPIDS · STAMFORD, CT
Get to the Root of High Cholesterol
A normal-looking lipid panel doesn't always mean low risk. Dr. Lisa Gengo looks past LDL to particle size, inflammation, and metabolic health—then lowers your numbers with more good food, not restriction.
Can Functional Medicine Help If My Cholesterol Is High—Even If My Doctor Says It's "Fine"?
Often, yes. A standard cholesterol panel only tells part of the story. Two people can have the exact same LDL number and very different heart disease risk, depending on particle size, inflammation, Lp(a), and insulin resistance. Dr. Lisa Gengo, a functional medicine physician in Stamford, CT, uses advanced lipid testing to find out what's actually driving your numbers, then builds a nutrition-first plan to improve them.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Lisa Gengo, ND, PA-C, FMCP-M · Updated October 2026
Why a Former Cardiac Surgery PA Takes Cholesterol Personally
Before functional medicine, Dr. Gengo spent years in cardiac surgery, eventually becoming Chief PA at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell. She opened more chests and bypassed more blocked arteries than she can count—and she noticed something the standard cholesterol panel never explained: some patients with "normal" LDL ended up on her table, while others with high LDL never did.
That gap is what pulled her toward functional medicine. The number on your lab report is a starting point, not the whole answer. What matters is what's actually happening inside your arteries—particle size, inflammation, and metabolic health—and that's what she looks at with every patient.
Dr. Lisa Gengo, ND, PA-C, FMCP-M sees patients in Stamford, Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan, Norwalk, Westport, and throughout Fairfield County, CT.
"Normal" Cholesterol Doesn't Always Mean Low Risk
Maybe your doctor looked at your LDL number and said you were fine—but you still have a family history of heart disease, or something about that answer didn't sit right. Or maybe your LDL is high and you've been told to start a statin with no explanation of why, or what else might be going on.
Both situations are common, and both deserve a closer look. A standard lipid panel measures total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides—but it doesn't measure LDL particle size, Lp(a), ApoB, or inflammation, all of which can change the picture significantly. Cholesterol isn't something to ignore, and it isn't something to panic over either. It's a clue that deserves the full investigation.
Why One Lipid Panel Isn't the Whole Picture
LDL cholesterol isn't one uniform thing. Some LDL particles are large and buoyant and move through your bloodstream without much trouble. Others are small, dense, and far more likely to lodge in artery walls and trigger inflammation. Two patients with identical LDL numbers can have very different particle profiles—and very different risk.
Inflammation, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome all influence how your body handles cholesterol, which is why Dr. Gengo rarely looks at a lipid panel in isolation. She connects it to your blood sugar, your gut health, your stress levels, and your family history to build a complete picture of your cardiovascular risk—not just a single data point.
Cholesterol & Lipid Concerns Dr. Gengo Helps You Get to the Root Of
Most patients don't come in with a diagnosis. They come in with a lab report and questions nobody has answered yet.
High LDL
Elevated "bad" cholesterol that hasn't responded to diet changes alone, or that's never been explained beyond a number.
Low HDL
Low "good" cholesterol, which plays its own role in cardiovascular risk and is often overlooked.
High Triglycerides
Often tied to blood sugar, insulin resistance, and how your body processes carbohydrates and alcohol.
Small, Dense LDL Particles
A pattern that a standard panel can't see, but that matters more than LDL alone for artery health.
Elevated Lp(a)
A largely genetic risk factor most patients have never been tested for—often worth checking once in a lifetime.
Family History
A parent or sibling with high cholesterol, early heart disease, or a heart attack before 55 or 65.
Statin Questions or Side Effects
Muscle aches, hesitation about starting a statin, or wanting to try a root-cause approach first.
Finding the Root Cause, Not Just Lowering a Number
Dr. Gengo starts with a detailed conversation about your history, your family's heart health, your diet, stress, sleep, and any medications or supplements you're already taking. Depending on what she hears, evaluation may include:
- Advanced lipid testing to look at LDL particle size and number (ApoB), not just total LDL
- Lp(a), a genetic risk marker most patients have never had checked
- Inflammation markers such as hs-CRP
- Fasting insulin and blood sugar, since insulin resistance strongly influences cholesterol and triglycerides
- A thyroid panel, since an underactive thyroid can raise LDL on its own
- A review of diet, movement, stress, and sleep patterns that affect lipid metabolism
The goal isn't to order every test available. It's to find out what's actually driving your numbers, so the plan actually fits the cause.
Lowering Cholesterol With More Good Food—Not an Endless List of Don'ts
Many patients have already tried cutting out eggs, butter, and red meat, only to see their numbers barely move. That's because diet-driven cholesterol issues usually respond more to what's missing than to what's being avoided.
Dr. Gengo's philosophy: nutrition isn't about eating less. It's about eating more of what actually supports healthy lipid metabolism—fiber, healthy fats, and nutrient-dense, whole foods that help your body process cholesterol the way it's supposed to. When a temporary change is needed, it's done with a clear purpose, not as a permanent restriction.
Want a head start? Read Your Cholesterol Is "Normal." So Why Could You Still Be at Risk for Heart Disease?
Is Your Cholesterol Risk Higher Than Your Lab Report Shows?
Answer 10 quick yes-or-no questions. Nothing you enter is saved or sent anywhere.
- Has a doctor ever called your cholesterol "normal" even though you still worry about your heart health?
- Do you have a family history of heart disease, high cholesterol, or an early heart attack?
- Is your LDL ("bad" cholesterol) above goal, even with diet changes?
- Is your HDL ("good" cholesterol) on the low side?
- Are your triglycerides elevated?
- Have you been told you have "small, dense" LDL particles, or have you never had Lp(a) checked?
- Do you carry extra weight around your waist or midsection?
- Do you notice fatigue after meals, sugar cravings, or weight that won't budge?
- Are you hesitant to start—or stay on—a statin and want to understand the root cause first?
- Do you have high blood pressure along with your cholesterol concerns?
Or call us at (203) 434-9143
This check is for education only and isn't a diagnosis. Please don't stop or change any medication, including a statin, without talking to your prescribing provider first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it normal to have high cholesterol even if I eat healthy?
Yes—diet is only one piece. Genetics, thyroid function, insulin resistance, inflammation, and stress all influence cholesterol, which is why two people with similar diets can have very different numbers.
What's the difference between LDL, HDL, and triglycerides?
LDL carries cholesterol to your cells and, in excess, can contribute to plaque buildup. HDL helps clear cholesterol from your bloodstream. Triglycerides are a type of fat tied closely to blood sugar, insulin, and diet. All three matter, but none of them tell the whole story alone.
What is Lp(a), and why does it matter?
Lp(a) is a genetic, largely inherited risk factor that isn't included in a standard cholesterol panel. Because it's determined by genetics rather than lifestyle, it's typically only checked once—but knowing your number can change how aggressively other risk factors should be managed.
Do I have to go on a statin?
That's a decision between you and your prescribing provider, and Dr. Gengo won't tell you to stop a medication that's already been prescribed. What she will do is help you understand the root causes behind your numbers, so you have the full picture alongside that decision.
Can diet alone lower cholesterol?
For some patients, yes—especially when the underlying driver is insulin resistance or inflammation that responds well to nutrition. For others, genetics play a larger role. Either way, a nutrient-dense, food-first approach is almost always part of the plan.
Can I still see Dr. Gengo if I already have a cardiologist?
Yes. Many patients work with Dr. Gengo alongside their cardiologist—she focuses on root-cause, nutrition-first strategies that complement the care you're already receiving.
Do you see patients outside Stamford?
Yes. Dr. Gengo sees patients from Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan, Norwalk, Westport, Fairfield, Ridgefield, and throughout the Tri-State area.
Ready to Understand What's Really Behind Your Numbers?
Book a free 15-minute Discovery Call and find out whether Dr. Gengo's root-cause approach to cholesterol and heart health is right for you. No commitment. No pressure. Just answers.
Book Your Free Discovery Call →Or call us at (203) 434-9143 · Stamford, CT
Areas We Serve
Dr. Lisa Gengo, ND, PA-C, FMCP-M is a functional medicine practitioner serving patients in Stamford, Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan, Norwalk, Westport, Fairfield, and Ridgefield, CT. She helps patients get to the root cause of high cholesterol, high triglycerides, low HDL, and elevated Lp(a), with a focus on how cholesterol connects to inflammation, insulin resistance, and long-term heart health. Functional medicine Stamford CT · Cholesterol doctor Fairfield County · Advanced lipid testing Connecticut.
This page is for educational purposes only and isn't a substitute for personal medical advice. Please talk with your healthcare provider about your symptoms, and don't stop or change any medication without their guidance.