Cholesterol Experts?

naughtoj

naughtoj

Cathlete
Hi Everyone..
Approximately 2 years ago I posted about my lab results for cholesterol. At that time they were:

Total cholesterol...140
HDL.................49
LDL.................80
VLDL................11

2 years later they are:

Total cholesterol...197 Triglycerides: 98
HDL.................89 (but I had coffee with a little bit
LDL.................92 of creamer and milk in AM)
VLDL................16

Those of you that read my post at the time know I was concerned with the low HDL level. Do you think that I could have raised my HDL this much in 2 years? I am wondering if I did something right or if the lab screwed up one of the times. It was Sonora Quest Labs, so doesn't seem likely. What is your opinion of the overall results and the raise in HDL? Is the LDL raise too much or OK for a two year time span? I am 28 years old.

We don't have our old test, I dug up my values from the old post. What I got of my husband (he is 27) is:

Total cholesterol: 165
HDL: 33

Two years later his are:

Total cholesterol: 214
HDL: 40
LDL: 129
VLDL: 36
Triglycerides: 214 (he had the same coffee as me in the AM, 1 cup)

What are your opinions of these numbers? I got some really educated responses lastime and was hoping to get some this time around too. Seems now I should be concerned with how to LOWER my LDL!!! You just can't win!:)

Thanks!!
 
Hi there!!

I'm a Med Tech in a hospital lab that performs these tests. I'm NOT a doctor, so I cannont advise you on course of treatment. Now that the disclaimer is out of the way, let's go!!

From the way your numbers look, it seems like some changes were made in your family's diet. Honestly, it looks like you need to cut out some fat. The LDL is getting higher on both of you, but more dangerously so on your hubby.

Let's talk about your hubby. 130 is the cutoff for normal LDL and he's on the brink. His total cholesterol is just a notch over what's considered low cardiac risk. And his HDL is low. Hubby should be compelled to lower the fat intake and up the exercise, especially cardio. Now don't get me wrong, those numbers aren't "bad". For an average guy, those are average numbers. But from the way they've jumped up, this could indicate a future problem. It also looks like hubby doesn't process his simple sugars as efficiantly as you do. He may want to cut out refined sugars from his diet to get those triglycerides down. It's not bad, but for fasting numbers, I'd like to see them lower if it were me.

Now for you. To answer your HDL question, yes. The HDL can jump that high and can do so in 6 months with lots of cardio and exercise. Again, though, your cholesterol jumped 60 points!! Your hubby's jumped 50 points! So there's something in your diet that both of you are doing. Your LDL is ok, and with the total cholesterol less than 200, your cardiac risk is low.

Over all, look into your diet. There's some serious fat intake going on. It's probably hidden. If you're eatting eggs for protien, you may consider having scrambled eggs with 4 egg whites and 1 egg to bring down the fat and cholesterol intake. Avoid organ meats like liver. Pass on the bacon, the icecream, the godiva chocolates. The main reason I'm saying this stuff is because you did not indicate the kind of diet you're following. So I don't know if you're eating clean or following Atkins or low fat or what. So forgive me for the extra info, ok? But since your numbers for both you and your hubby have increased at the same rate, it's got to be something in the diet.

Now that is supposing that those ARE your numbers. You've indicated you have some doubt. Since I work in a lab, and have worked for a reference lab just small enough to have to send out tests to Quest, I know that sometimes mistakes do happen. It's a shame, but the workers are human and sometimes make errors. If you feel these numbers can't be yours, go in for a retest. Tell your doc what you feel and see if they can get you a free followup. Some insurances allow this, too, so check that out. If the second test matches the first..... well, you know what I'm going to say. But it is your right as a patient to question the validity of a test if you feel it's not right.

If you have any other specific questions, I can do my best to answer them. In the meantime, get out the oatmeal!! It helps scavange cholesterol and can help lower those numbers. Also, a 250mg dose of slow release niacin can help. Just make sure it's slow release otherwise you may get flushing. Niacin is a B vitamin that helps process cholesterol and occurs naturally in your diet. But the larger dose really lowers the cholesterol and LDL.
 
Tammy:

I want to congratulate you on an incredibly well written, thoughtful and informative response. This helps many, not just the poster. Thanks again,

Clare
 
Hi Janice --

First, I am not a cholesterol expert :) However, I know a little due to my Cooper PFS certification.

Tammy is right on the money. As for *your* numbers -- your LDL is in the optimal category (<100 is considered optimal), and your HDL is considered protective against heart disease (>60). Your triglyceride level is also normal (<150 is considered normal). Your husband's numbers, however, place him in the "borderline high" category because his total cholesterol falls in 200-239. His HDL is still close to being low (<40 is considered low) and his LDL is close to being "borderline high". His triglycerides are in the high category too.

Lifestyle factors that DECREASE LDL cholesterol
1. increase physical activity level
2. decrease dietary saturated and hydrogenated fat
3. decrease dietary cholesterol
4. increase dietary soluble fiber and soy
5. decrease percent body fat
6. manage stress effectively
7. control diabetes

Lifestyle factors that INCREASE HDL cholesterol
1. increase physical activity level
2. decrease percent body fat
3. quit smoking
4. decrease blood triglyceride levels
5. increase monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat intake; reduce simple and refined carbohydrate intake

Elevations in triglyceride levels are usually caused by obesity, high saturated fat intake, high simple sugar intake, high alcohol intake, insulin resistance and sedentary lifestyle. Genetics can also be a factor.

Good luck. Your numbers look good! If you are somewhat concerned about the validity of the numbers, you should get re-tested. I think it is perfectly reasonable to expect the change in your numbers over a 2-year time period.

Shonie
 
Tammy,
Thank you for all the information. That is what I was hoping to get.

I have a few questions. You mention that both our cholesterol counts went up pretty drastically. My husband's HDL only went up 7 points, but mine 40, so is my total cholesterol number still worth all the worry? You say to eat oatmeal because it raises the "scavenger" cholesterol, but isn't that HDL? Isn't mine already high?

Would it be correct to say that from here on out, I have to watch more of my diet and continue with my lifestyle practices and that my hubby has to watch his diet as well as improve his lifestyle habits? Are you saying the increase in my LDL cholesterol was too much for a two year time span? The ratio HDL/LDL is better than last time, 2.2/5 (last time 2.3/5), so couldn't I say that I had stayed the same? Or is it because my HDL went up so much and my LDL did not decrease that is bad? Would my LDL be even worse if I did not have so many "cleaner uppers", for lack of a better expression?

I am not denying the fact that both hubby and I eat fatty foods. We do. I guess it is just that I did not think we ate enough to cause a health concern. What is a "healthy" amount of times to eat ice cream or lean red meat per month? I don't know this. We eat red meat, but I always buy the leanest of lean. We do eat out atleast once per week though and tend to eat portions that are way too big.

I guess your post just really scared me. I thought I should come away being proud that I had raised my HDL so much and now I am coming away feeling like there is something really wrong with my eating habits. Do people have LDL's as low as, say, 50?
 
Hello all,

I hate to butt in here since I'm not an expert.
However I was told by my cardiologist that the ratio between total cholesterol and HDL is more important than the total number. It seems to me that your ratio actually improved
140:49 === 2.8
197:89 ==== 2.2 this is better!
I was told than anything under 3 is wonderful but more than 4 is dangerous.

But again, I'm not an expert. My cholesterol was something like 210 total with HDL around 90. So when I got my result from my GP the secretary started to scare me and warn me about eating well, blah, blah -- as if I could eat any healthier. Then I asked the chief cardiologist in our local hospital (who happened to be a friend also) and he explained to me the ratio thing. He said that I was perfectly fine despite the"higher" number.

Mari
 
HDL is the part of your cholesterol number that we want as high as possible. The oatmeal will help reduce your total cholesterol number. Yes, HDL is the good cholesterol that keeps plaque from building up in your arteries, but when I said cholesterol scavenger, I meant for the the total number. See, the total cholesterol level is just that: The Total. It's HDL plus the LDL that equals the total. So you have a good half and a bad half equalling the whole. You want the HDL higher than the LDL. You want the LDL less than 130. You want the total number below 200. That is the optimum for low cardiac risk.

So for your first question: yes, the total cholesterol is worth getting down even though your HDL is pretty high. At your age, I'd expect it to be between 150 and 180.

Second question: Yes, you should watch your diet. Eat as clean as possible and keep working out. Aside from making you look awesome on the outside, you're going to look great on the inside, too! And yes, your ratios are about the same, but the totals went up. But read close hear: over all, your numbers are still good!! Two years ago they were better, but they're still good. I'd kill for your numbers!! I have high cholesterol as a gift of genetics and seriously, I want your numbers!!! If your total cholesterol had gone up and your HDL had stayed the same, I would be worried. But, since your HDL went up as much as it did, it protects your heart so you're doing fine.

Third question!! Diet! Yum!! I love red meat, and it's ok to eat as long as it's lean. As far as the icecream goes, I'd say perhaps the same number of times as normal, but cut the portion in half. Maybe share that Dairy Queen. Or if you scoop out of a big container of icecream, try getting the smaller single sized portions and have just one. You don't have to take ALL the fun out of your diet.

I didn't mean to scare you, honest!! And you should be proud of that HDL!! It's awesome to be over 80. Most people who have healthy cholesterols have LDL anywhere from 80-130. You're normal. HDL normals are anywhere from 40-85. You have to have some cholesterol otherwise your body wouldn't work!!

In all honesty, the reason I emphasised diet is because of the total number of cholesterol. There are just two tests, and the next test a year or so from now will help determine if you're trending upward overall or not. Seriously, don't worry about it too much. Keep up the cardio and your HDL will stay high and protect you. Even if you do have icecream!!!
 
Shonie!! Nice breakdown!!

And you're right. It is perfectly reasonable to expect the numbers to change over time. We get older. It's what we do even if we don't like it. As we age, our numbers do go up.

And don't forget you're numbers and hubby's are still in the normal range which means you are healthy. Don't fret, ok?
 
This is all scaring me. I'm 33, and my numbers are (first time ever tested):

Total: 217
HDL: 130 (yes, it's been verified!)
LDL: 74
Triglycerides: 67
Ratio: 1.7

My Dr. said I was fine, but I don't like that I'm over 200 with my total, esp. since heart disease is a problem in my family. So, what is the definitive answer? Should I be concerned with total number? Or not worry because my HDL is high?

Finding this thread very informative and interesting!!
 
Absinthekitty,

Don't be scared, it is just if your cholesterol is over 200 total doctors like to have the breakdown so they can analyze it from there. As Tammy said, they like to see LDL under 100 and HDL greater than 40. This all applies to you, AND your HDL is greater than your LDL, so it looks like you have absolutely nothing to worry about to me. If heart disease is a problem in your family, I don't see how with that kind of an HDL! Good Job!!!
 
Tammy,
Again, thank you so much for the lengthy detailed response!! I think it was good that I had this measured, because it is driving home the fact that just because you can maintain or lose weight eating a certain way, does not mean you can eat that way forever, and I think this applies to me. I look pretty buff on the outside even with the bad foods I eat. I would say, my estimation of bad to clean food would be 30-70, in percentage of the time. You are right though, that fat is coming from somewhere, and fortunately in my case, it is not so "hidden".:)


Nah....this is not worth worrying about for me. For my hubby, yes. We have had the conversation about eating out and trying to get cleaner with our diets as well as him incorporating more fruits, veggies, and good fats. He is very bad at that. As you say, I have no desire to take the "fun" out of eating, but seeing numbers that are not as good as you expected kindof scares you, for a minute. But again, my whole worth is NOT in my cholesterol numbers!!!


It is weird with my HDL though. Two years ago when I first had it measured I exercised too. About as hard. Pretty much same amount of cardio. The only thing I can think I have done significantly differently now is I eat lots of natural peanut butter. I don't even eat fish or olive oil very often, but it still raised 40 points. Maybe that was off the first time?

Anyway, I will let this thread die now. I think my hubby and I are fortunate in that we care about our health to find out early and try to modify our diet. But, I also know that genetics plays a big role and I might not be able to avoid high cholesterol. But, I am glad you have imparted me with the knowlege now.

Thanks again!!
 
Just had bloodowrk done, terrible family history of heart disease and waiting on the results.

Doctor wants me to get another cholesterol test that is more advanced. My insurance won't cover it but it is only $95 here in New Orleans. This test breaks down the HDL/LDLs etc down further so the doctor can see better what is driving each number.

Don't really know how that works, maybe Tammy can answer but if someone is really worried, it seems like they should seek out this test.

Also, more and more doctors and scientists think cholesterol is not the best indicator of Cardiovascular disease, newer measures will become more common. The CRP (ractive protein) and homocycstine tests were both done on me to assess my health status since I am in a high risk group.
 
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