Okay, this is a painful reality check for me today. I had some routine blood work drawn. My HDL cholesterol was wonderful at 79, my triglycerides were impressive at 53 and drum roll...my LDL wa 133! I am going to die of a heart attack after all this *&%&&ing clean eating! I mean it. This sucks. My husband said tonight, "Hey I might just out live you yet". My total cholesterol was 211. I am 34, I am not overweight (118 lbs), I exercise 6 days a week (with Cathe), I don't eat red meat, or cola or sugar or anything processed 89% of the time. Needless to say I am very depressed. And no, high cholesterol does not run in my family. All my grandparents lived well into their 80's. I am just feeling sorry for myself. Is there anyone else out their like me? I'll take any advice or theories. (I already take b vitamin complex and MVI if anyone was going to suggest it).
Got my lab results....
- Thread starter Mikkia
- Start date
hiitdogs
Cathlete
I am not sure I am following. My understanding is, that you LDL should be less than 150 mg/dl. Your HDL should be significantly above 35 mg/dl - you are within those parameters.
As long as your LDL is not over 150 and your HDL is as good as it is, anything under 240 mg/dl (as long as there are not other risk factors, like smoking, obesity, high blood pressure), you should be fine.
You doing much better than the average American and with triglycerides at 53 you won't get a heart attack.
Don't be depressed, you should be proud of yourself!
Carola
As long as your LDL is not over 150 and your HDL is as good as it is, anything under 240 mg/dl (as long as there are not other risk factors, like smoking, obesity, high blood pressure), you should be fine.
You doing much better than the average American and with triglycerides at 53 you won't get a heart attack.
Don't be depressed, you should be proud of yourself!
Carola
If it makes you feel any better, I'm 30, and have never had a cholesterol BELOW 255. My HDLs are always high like yours, typically 80+, where my LDL's are always about 130.
I have checked with several physicians, and since my cardiac risk in not above 4 (should be on your test results), it basically means that I'm OK. Part of the reason your cholesterol is so high is BECAUSE of that high HDL count.
My mom has been a lab tech for 30 years and has always watched this/explained it all closely to me.
So, bottom line, I would not be too concerned. Given the numbers that you've gotten back, you're still in great cardiac health!
I have checked with several physicians, and since my cardiac risk in not above 4 (should be on your test results), it basically means that I'm OK. Part of the reason your cholesterol is so high is BECAUSE of that high HDL count.
My mom has been a lab tech for 30 years and has always watched this/explained it all closely to me.
So, bottom line, I would not be too concerned. Given the numbers that you've gotten back, you're still in great cardiac health!
Thanks for the kind words!You all made me feel better. Carola, the normals are now below 100. 100-130 is the moderate risk and then there is above 130 (high risk), or so my lab work says.
I guess that what really bothers me about the whole thing is there isn't a whole lot of lifestyle changes for me to try to get it any lower, and when ever you try to lower total cholesterol, your HDL usually goes down too, which is bad. Oh well. I did not give into my temptation for a free rootbeer float at Sonic tonight, though my husband had to hide my keys to prevent it from happening.
I guess that what really bothers me about the whole thing is there isn't a whole lot of lifestyle changes for me to try to get it any lower, and when ever you try to lower total cholesterol, your HDL usually goes down too, which is bad. Oh well. I did not give into my temptation for a free rootbeer float at Sonic tonight, though my husband had to hide my keys to prevent it from happening.
hiitdogs
Cathlete
Interesting, different information everywhere. My doctor said that a higher HDL offsets the LDL partly and not everything is cut in stone. This is what I got from the American Heart Association though.
"If your total cholesterol falls between 200 and 239 mg/dL, your doctor will evaluate your levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol and triglycerides. It's possible to have borderline-high total cholesterol numbers with normal levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol balanced by high HDL (good) cholesterol"
LDL Cholesterol Levels
Less than 100 mg/dL Optimal
100 to 129 mg/dL Near Optimal/ Above Optimal
130 to 159 mg/dL Borderline High
160 to 189 mg/dL High
190 mg/dL and above Very High
There are no absolute numbers and my doctor told me that if the HDL number is higher a higher LDL number is no cause for concern. What did your doctor say?
I still say you are doing great!
Carola
"If your total cholesterol falls between 200 and 239 mg/dL, your doctor will evaluate your levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol and triglycerides. It's possible to have borderline-high total cholesterol numbers with normal levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol balanced by high HDL (good) cholesterol"
LDL Cholesterol Levels
Less than 100 mg/dL Optimal
100 to 129 mg/dL Near Optimal/ Above Optimal
130 to 159 mg/dL Borderline High
160 to 189 mg/dL High
190 mg/dL and above Very High
There are no absolute numbers and my doctor told me that if the HDL number is higher a higher LDL number is no cause for concern. What did your doctor say?
I still say you are doing great!
Carola
Carola,
Every time you post something I feel better! The Dr. ordering this is my OB/GYN. She said recheck it in 3 months and then probably start a statin drug if no improvement. So then I showed my DH who is a internist, who said that my LDL was way too high, but my hdl looked good, but he really couldn't believe the numbers, so he said repeat in 3 months. He thought that a 53 triglyceride may be falsely elevating my LDL because it is a calculated number not a level. But he also said if no improvement in 3 months he would start me on a statin. I do not take medication, and I'm sure as H#LL not starting a statin for the rest of my life. I don't mean to make a big deal out of nothing, but since I turned 34 I have had nothing but health problems or concerns.
Every time you post something I feel better! The Dr. ordering this is my OB/GYN. She said recheck it in 3 months and then probably start a statin drug if no improvement. So then I showed my DH who is a internist, who said that my LDL was way too high, but my hdl looked good, but he really couldn't believe the numbers, so he said repeat in 3 months. He thought that a 53 triglyceride may be falsely elevating my LDL because it is a calculated number not a level. But he also said if no improvement in 3 months he would start me on a statin. I do not take medication, and I'm sure as H#LL not starting a statin for the rest of my life. I don't mean to make a big deal out of nothing, but since I turned 34 I have had nothing but health problems or concerns.
hiitdogs
Cathlete
REALLY??? Start you on statin with those number? Wow!!
First off, DISCLAIMER, I am not a doctor! But I do read a lot about that stuff. I probably should put my flame retardent suit on because I am going to get flamed for this, but I think those drugs are prescribed WAY to fast nowadays and those drugs are not completely safe, there are significant side effects and a depletion of CoQ10 has been proven.
I believe the pharmaceutical industry is way to powerful and we keep relying on pills. Quick fix, let's throw in a pill to lower the cholesterol levels. And despite of those "miracle" drugs heart disease is on the raise. If the level of cholesterol is really the culprit and statin drugs lower the cholesterol, why is heart disease in our society still increasing?
There even is research ongoing which suggest that cholesterol is not the culprit for heart disease but it is suggested that it is insulin resistance and leptin (?) resistence which cause heart disease.
Like you I am anti-drug, I wouldn't take anything unless I absolutely have to. In any case your DH is an MD, so you probably get better advise from him than from me
Sorry for the rant, it's one of my pet peeves. Keep us posted on your health journey.
Take care,
Carola
First off, DISCLAIMER, I am not a doctor! But I do read a lot about that stuff. I probably should put my flame retardent suit on because I am going to get flamed for this
, but I think those drugs are prescribed WAY to fast nowadays and those drugs are not completely safe, there are significant side effects and a depletion of CoQ10 has been proven. I believe the pharmaceutical industry is way to powerful and we keep relying on pills. Quick fix, let's throw in a pill to lower the cholesterol levels. And despite of those "miracle" drugs heart disease is on the raise. If the level of cholesterol is really the culprit and statin drugs lower the cholesterol, why is heart disease in our society still increasing?
There even is research ongoing which suggest that cholesterol is not the culprit for heart disease but it is suggested that it is insulin resistance and leptin (?) resistence which cause heart disease.
Like you I am anti-drug, I wouldn't take anything unless I absolutely have to. In any case your DH is an MD, so you probably get better advise from him than from me
Sorry for the rant, it's one of my pet peeves. Keep us posted on your health journey.
Take care,
Carola
fit_fairy
Cathlete
Personally, from a medial perspective if there are other risk factors involved, then maybe I would start a statin at that level. But if not, generally I would not at those levels in someone your age. Cholesterol is a player in heart disease. But it is just one. Carola is correct in that insulin resistence plays a role as well as inflammation. Lots of people have normal cholesterol and still have heart attacks. So it is just one peice of the puzzle. How's your fiber intake? Increasing that some may help lower your numbers.
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Poochy
Cathlete
<<<<Interesting, different information everywhere. My doctor said that a higher HDL offsets the LDL partly and not everything is cut in stone. This is what I got from the American Heart Association though.>>>
My doc says the same thing ... if your HDL is way above the average and your total may fall into the high .. the HDL v/s the LDL would determine along w/other risk factors if it is bad ..
my HDL is 110 .. they said they had never seen HDL that high .. although my total # was higher than 200 .. that I had nothing to worry about .. (hope that is true anyway)
My doc says the same thing ... if your HDL is way above the average and your total may fall into the high .. the HDL v/s the LDL would determine along w/other risk factors if it is bad ..
my HDL is 110 .. they said they had never seen HDL that high .. although my total # was higher than 200 .. that I had nothing to worry about .. (hope that is true anyway)
colleen-walker
Member
Mikkia: I lowered my cholesterol with diet and exercise but it still runs a little high because of family history. My doc had me on a statin for a while until I decided I didn't want to be on a statin (my cholesterol was not out of control or anything). He understood and had me start taking red yeast rice supplements which have a statin-like component. You can buy it at the grocery store or drug store. It seems to have helped keep my numbers down without having to be on "medication".
Don't know if this would help you and I'm not a doctor but thought it might be useful info. for you.
Colleen
Don't know if this would help you and I'm not a doctor but thought it might be useful info. for you.
Colleen
>my HDL is 110 .. they said they had never seen HDL that high
>.. although my total # was higher than 200 .. that I had
>nothing to worry about .. (hope that is true anyway)
Hello,
Can I ask what your normal diets (nutrition wise) are or taking any supplement? I am just curious and hoping can learn some tips.
Thanks.
>.. although my total # was higher than 200 .. that I had
>nothing to worry about .. (hope that is true anyway)
Hello,
Can I ask what your normal diets (nutrition wise) are or taking any supplement? I am just curious and hoping can learn some tips.
Thanks.
well, at one point my total cholesteral was 121, My LDL was 38. when i was a meat eater my total was 156. The 121 total was when I was almost vegan execept for the Tilapia and Salmon that was eating which was about twice a month. I was eating a lot of fruits and vegetables and workout about one hour a day and i was at a healthy weight. my brother who eats meat his cholesteral is high. i don't know my family history since i come from a 3rd world country and i never had my checked when i was at home.
by the way my Triglycerides was 35.
violet
by the way my Triglycerides was 35.
violet
Colleen,
I have never heard of the red yeast suppliment. I will look into that, very interesting.
No, not taking any hormones or contraceptives.
My diet is usually breakfast nonfat non sweet yougurt with flaxseed and berries, lunch is salad with olive oil and lemon, dinner is fish or chicken with veggies and quiona. I usually eat some almonds during the day, usually an orange and I drink iced tea (green, black whatever) and I drink coffee in the am with a little half and half. I love ice cream, but I quit eating it about 3 months ago after I read Tosca Reno's book.
I have heard of people with HDL over 100, my husband was telling me the other day that he has a 98 year old patient with HDL of 101. He thinks that probably why he has lived so long.
I have thought about becomoing a vegetarian, and I guess I am almost there. I don't know if I am ready for a vegan lifestyle yet.
Cheryl-I guess we are in the same boat. I am glad you have a positive attitude!I hope it rubs off on me!
I have never heard of the red yeast suppliment. I will look into that, very interesting.
No, not taking any hormones or contraceptives.
My diet is usually breakfast nonfat non sweet yougurt with flaxseed and berries, lunch is salad with olive oil and lemon, dinner is fish or chicken with veggies and quiona. I usually eat some almonds during the day, usually an orange and I drink iced tea (green, black whatever) and I drink coffee in the am with a little half and half. I love ice cream, but I quit eating it about 3 months ago after I read Tosca Reno's book.
I have heard of people with HDL over 100, my husband was telling me the other day that he has a 98 year old patient with HDL of 101. He thinks that probably why he has lived so long.
I have thought about becomoing a vegetarian, and I guess I am almost there. I don't know if I am ready for a vegan lifestyle yet.
Cheryl-I guess we are in the same boat. I am glad you have a positive attitude!I hope it rubs off on me!
Mikkia,
Back in the day, when I was 27 years old, I had my cholestrol checked for kicks. My vitals were showing that I should have had a heart attack that day, LDL was high, blood pressure and insulin levels were really bad. Then, added stress from a marraige going down the tubes and life itself. They were going to admit me to the hospital that day for possible heart attack.
My doctor gave me 6 months to lower my LDL, lower my blood pressure, and realign my sugars or else I would be socked with all kinds of meds. In 6 months, I lost 30 pounds and dropped 70 points and cleaned up my eating plus I started working out. I was always active in high school and college but after graduation, I became less active real fast.
Now at 45 years of age, still not on any meds. I watch what I eat and more important, portion sizes. Working out in the colder months is more of the extreme for me, if anything. In the summer, mainly, walking and riding my bike. My red meat intake is normally once to three times per week, but most optimally, once or none is when I feel the best. Reducing and keeping stress levels down has helped me with all of it as well, thanks to Cathe, it's alot easier.
Hang in there, and think and be positive like Cheryl!
Back in the day, when I was 27 years old, I had my cholestrol checked for kicks. My vitals were showing that I should have had a heart attack that day, LDL was high, blood pressure and insulin levels were really bad. Then, added stress from a marraige going down the tubes and life itself. They were going to admit me to the hospital that day for possible heart attack.
My doctor gave me 6 months to lower my LDL, lower my blood pressure, and realign my sugars or else I would be socked with all kinds of meds. In 6 months, I lost 30 pounds and dropped 70 points and cleaned up my eating plus I started working out. I was always active in high school and college but after graduation, I became less active real fast.
Now at 45 years of age, still not on any meds. I watch what I eat and more important, portion sizes. Working out in the colder months is more of the extreme for me, if anything. In the summer, mainly, walking and riding my bike. My red meat intake is normally once to three times per week, but most optimally, once or none is when I feel the best. Reducing and keeping stress levels down has helped me with all of it as well, thanks to Cathe, it's alot easier.
Hang in there, and think and be positive like Cheryl!
nancy324
Cathlete
Mikkia, I just don't believe in cholesterol drugs for people like you. I think the drug companies are too hard sell on that Lipitor stuff and similar drugs. I'm no doctor, but slightly high cholesterol is not dangerous like high blood pressure is. I think the whole thing is getting out of hand.
I was a little on the high side like you a few years ago, so I went to see a nutritionist. She made a few changes in my diet, and now my readings are all excellent. I eat old-fashioned oatmeal every morning for breakfast. I highly recommend Smart Balance old-fashioned oatmeal with extra Omega-3. My primary source of fat is now olive oil, and I eat very little animal fat.
I don't know if you like fish, but I eat a lot of fish just because I love it. In order to avoid mercury and PCBs, I buy my canned fish only from Vital Choice (www.vitalchoice.com). It's expensive, but it puts my mind at ease. I add the little 3.75 ounce cans of tuna or salmon to my salads several times per week.
I forget my exact numbers, but my doctor is impressed with the change.
ETA: I don't think your numbers sound bad at all, but a little tweaking in your diet can make a big difference.
I think they should save that cholesterol medication for people who have inherited very high cholesterol, and have tried everything else first. Slightly high cholesterol is not a serious condition like hypertension. I think the drug companies are deliberately confusing the public in their advertisements.
I was a little on the high side like you a few years ago, so I went to see a nutritionist. She made a few changes in my diet, and now my readings are all excellent. I eat old-fashioned oatmeal every morning for breakfast. I highly recommend Smart Balance old-fashioned oatmeal with extra Omega-3. My primary source of fat is now olive oil, and I eat very little animal fat.
I don't know if you like fish, but I eat a lot of fish just because I love it. In order to avoid mercury and PCBs, I buy my canned fish only from Vital Choice (www.vitalchoice.com). It's expensive, but it puts my mind at ease. I add the little 3.75 ounce cans of tuna or salmon to my salads several times per week.
I forget my exact numbers, but my doctor is impressed with the change.
ETA: I don't think your numbers sound bad at all, but a little tweaking in your diet can make a big difference.
I think they should save that cholesterol medication for people who have inherited very high cholesterol, and have tried everything else first. Slightly high cholesterol is not a serious condition like hypertension. I think the drug companies are deliberately confusing the public in their advertisements.