So confused

Galsal · 08-16-2009, 07:35 PM

Had blood tests done and overall cholesterol is good. Don't understand WHY the HDL is soooo low though. LDL went up too.

Thought the whole concept was a healthier way of eating. Going to have them redone and hope it was just a skewed test day when they were done.

Triglycerides - 105
Cholesterol - 190
HDL - 18 L
LDL 151 H
Risk Ratio - 10.56 H

What the heck is going on here? Thoughts, opinion, suggestions are welcome!

Thanks,
Sal

MACXXX · 08-17-2009, 09:08 AM

Read this blog post:

The Heart Scan Blog: HDL for Dummies

Galsal · 08-17-2009, 07:59 PM

Thanks. Have to say I wonder about that. Had appt with PCP today but she was out with an ill baby so saw a stand-in. She's not concerned about the cholesterol test results since my overall is good and doesn't consider the "bad" to be any more than barely over high.

Fish Oil/Omegas, quit smoking, etc.

sal

Lillianna · 09-14-2009, 06:44 PM

Eating more saturated fat and eggs will help raise your HDL (your doctor probably won't tell you that). After doing strict low-fat for one year my HDL was 25. After doing high saturated fat, low carb for one year, my HDL was 70. The LDL did go up a little bit but the ratio is much better with the increase in HDL.

I never felt 100% comfortable about eating so much saturated fat --until I saw my cholesterol and blood pressure results last month. I was thrilled with the results.

If I were you I would cut down on carbs a bit and increase the saturated fat and eggs. I think you'll see your HDL go way up. It's crazy that doctors are still telling us to avoid these things.

Good luck...

viscious cycle · 09-21-2009, 08:26 PM

if he's checking your A1c I guess you're diabetic?

What is your current LDL, if you don't mind me asking?

He is partially correct, HDL is hard to change/correct. Statins have no effect on HDL (the higher the HDL the better). HDL is "good" cholesterol".

LDL level, when coupled with other risk factors (BP, weight, age, heart disease) needs to be really low. I worked on a clinical trial where the goal was LDLs of <or equal to 70. The study subjects had coronary artery disease. The subjects with lower LDL had better outcomes (no stroke/heart attack).

slimforever06 · 09-24-2009, 08:33 AM

Got fasting blood results today -

Total chol - 330 (Dr. says is really bad)
Triglycerides -- 61
HDL -- 111
LDL -- 207 (Dr. says is really bad)

sugar, liver, thyroid, Vitamin D, white blood count, sodium - ALL NORMAL

1. Total cholesterol divided by HDL should be below 4 (mine is 2.97)
and,

2. LDL divided by HDL should be below 3 (mine is 1.86)

She wanted to put me on a cholesterol lowering statin immediately - I told them I would not do it.

Do these numbers look horrible? Should I be more concerned and start on a statin?

suzukigirl · 09-24-2009, 10:04 AM

Is your doctor insane!!! With that HDL and low trigs you DO NOT need statins. Your LDL will be harmless pattern A (I bet your doc doesn't neven know the difference).

MACXXX · 09-24-2009, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slimforever06

Got fasting blood results today -

Total chol - 330 (Dr. says is really bad)
Triglycerides -- 61
HDL -- 111
LDL -- 207 (Dr. says is really bad)

sugar, liver, thyroid, Vitamin D, white blood count, sodium - ALL NORMAL

1. Total cholesterol divided by HDL should be below 4 (mine is 2.97)
and,

2. LDL divided by HDL should be below 3 (mine is 1.86)

She wanted to put me on a cholesterol lowering statin immediately - I told them I would not do it.

Do these numbers look horrible? Should I be more concerned and start on a statin?

Your Tri/HDL ratio is < 2, almost < .5 is PHENOMENAL!! Your doctor is an idiot. Because of your low tris your LDL is most likely overstated by at least 12% and maybe more.

Tell your doctor to order up an NMR Lipoprotein test to measure particle size and number. I would bet the doctor doesn't even know anything about that test or a VAP test.

slimforever06 · 09-24-2009, 11:09 AM

Thank you!! I have not really been worried but yet was. She seems to be one of those Drs. that follows the AMA recommendations 100%. She's new to me too which is another problem.

So statins are definitely not a good idea? I can definitely do better on exercise and my eating - I had really slacked off in the past few months and I think the carbs impacted my blood results way more than the low carb way of eating.

Lillianna · 09-25-2009, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slimforever06

Got fasting blood results today -

Total chol - 330 (Dr. says is really bad)
Triglycerides -- 61
HDL -- 111
LDL -- 207 (Dr. says is really bad)

sugar, liver, thyroid, Vitamin D, white blood count, sodium - ALL NORMAL

1. Total cholesterol divided by HDL should be below 4 (mine is 2.97)
and,

2. LDL divided by HDL should be below 3 (mine is 1.86)

She wanted to put me on a cholesterol lowering statin immediately - I told them I would not do it.

Do these numbers look horrible? Should I be more concerned and start on a statin?

These numbers are amazing! Your total cholesterol is so high because of your *good* cholesterol....and your triglycerides are fabulous! Any doctor that is concerned about these numbers is an idiot.

slimforever06 · 09-25-2009, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lillianna

These numbers are amazing! Your total cholesterol is so high because of your *good* cholesterol....and your triglycerides are fabulous! Any doctor that is concerned about these numbers is an idiot.

Thank you!!! I think she is too. The problem is - how do you find a Dr. who really understands this stuff???

I am going to work to bring my total chol # down with more exercise and stick with low carb better than I've been doing. My husband is concerned with the total number and my Dad had a major heart attack years ago.

slimforever06 · 09-29-2009, 12:02 PM

Any suggestions on how to lower the LDL? I've debated trying something like Weight Watchers because my Dr. is going to make me come back in 8 weeks and re-test - but honestly I don't want to screw myself completely up by changing plans!!!

MACXXX · 09-29-2009, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slimforever06

Any suggestions on how to lower the LDL? I've debated trying something like Weight Watchers because my Dr. is going to make me come back in 8 weeks and re-test - but honestly I don't want to screw myself completely up by changing plans!!!

Yes go low carb vegan or vegetarian. Just kidding. This will lower your LDL but increase your triglycerides.

Are you losing weight? If so, your lipids really can be out of whack until you stop losing and your weight stabilizes for a couple of months.

slimforever06 · 09-29-2009, 03:40 PM

yes I'm still losing a little weight - some regain I had. In fact right before I went in for the test I had lost about 9 lbs or so.

texastigerlily · 10-10-2009, 11:50 AM

I forget...which is which and where should it be?

ultimatehlth · 10-13-2009, 07:24 PM

Galsal,

You probably need to increase your fat intake. Try eating 1 - 1 1/2oz of walnuts or almonds each day, also good olives and avocado. Take fish oil 2-3 times daily. Have a glass of red wine with dinner, it has a profound effect on raising hdl. You can also take a niacin supplement, only the Nicotinic acid variety is effective. Take an aspirin 30 minutes prior to mitigate flushing.

Exercise also helps, particularly resistance training.

08-16-2009, 07:35 PM	#1
Galsal Junior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Tampa Posts: 7 Gallery: Galsal Stats: 181/160/145 WOE: South Beach Start Date: April 2009	So confused Had blood tests done and overall cholesterol is good. Don't understand WHY the HDL is soooo low though. LDL went up too. Thought the whole concept was a healthier way of eating. Going to have them redone and hope it was just a skewed test day when they were done. Triglycerides - 105 Cholesterol - 190 HDL - 18 L LDL 151 H Risk Ratio - 10.56 H What the heck is going on here? Thoughts, opinion, suggestions are welcome! Thanks, Sal

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08-17-2009, 09:08 AM	#2
MACXXX Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CA Posts: 408 Gallery: MACXXX WOE: Atkins	Read this blog post: The Heart Scan Blog: HDL for Dummies

08-17-2009, 07:59 PM	#3
Galsal Junior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Tampa Posts: 7 Gallery: Galsal Stats: 181/160/145 WOE: South Beach Start Date: April 2009	Thanks. Have to say I wonder about that. Had appt with PCP today but she was out with an ill baby so saw a stand-in. She's not concerned about the cholesterol test results since my overall is good and doesn't consider the "bad" to be any more than barely over high. Fish Oil/Omegas, quit smoking, etc. sal

09-14-2009, 06:44 PM	#4
Lillianna MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New England Posts: 1,123 Gallery: Lillianna Stats: 233/189/150 5'6" WOE: Low Carb Start Date: Restart 1/5/09 @ 233 (highest weight 240)	Eating more saturated fat and eggs will help raise your HDL (your doctor probably won't tell you that). After doing strict low-fat for one year my HDL was 25. After doing high saturated fat, low carb for one year, my HDL was 70. The LDL did go up a little bit but the ratio is much better with the increase in HDL. I never felt 100% comfortable about eating so much saturated fat --until I saw my cholesterol and blood pressure results last month. I was thrilled with the results. If I were you I would cut down on carbs a bit and increase the saturated fat and eggs. I think you'll see your HDL go way up. It's crazy that doctors are still telling us to avoid these things. Good luck...

09-21-2009, 08:26 PM	#5
viscious cycle Junior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 6 Gallery: viscious cycle Stats: 157/149/135 Start Date: January 29, 2009	if he's checking your A1c I guess you're diabetic? What is your current LDL, if you don't mind me asking? He is partially correct, HDL is hard to change/correct. Statins have no effect on HDL (the higher the HDL the better). HDL is "good" cholesterol". LDL level, when coupled with other risk factors (BP, weight, age, heart disease) needs to be really low. I worked on a clinical trial where the goal was LDLs of <or equal to 70. The study subjects had coronary artery disease. The subjects with lower LDL had better outcomes (no stroke/heart attack).

09-24-2009, 08:33 AM	#6
slimforever06 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Hot and humid Posts: 2,407 Gallery: slimforever06 Stats: (18)/(4-6) WOE: Atkins! Start Date: 03/2000 (on Atkins 9 years and counting....)	Got fasting blood results today - Total chol - 330 (Dr. says is really bad) Triglycerides -- 61 HDL -- 111 LDL -- 207 (Dr. says is really bad) sugar, liver, thyroid, Vitamin D, white blood count, sodium - ALL NORMAL 1. Total cholesterol divided by HDL should be below 4 (mine is 2.97) and, 2. LDL divided by HDL should be below 3 (mine is 1.86) She wanted to put me on a cholesterol lowering statin immediately - I told them I would not do it. Do these numbers look horrible? Should I be more concerned and start on a statin?

09-24-2009, 10:04 AM	#7
suzukigirl Senior LCF Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Highlands of Scotland Posts: 131 Gallery: suzukigirl Stats: 200/158/140 WOE: Barry Groves Start Date: 1/12/08 new start	Is your doctor insane!!! With that HDL and low trigs you DO NOT need statins. Your LDL will be harmless pattern A (I bet your doc doesn't neven know the difference).

09-24-2009, 11:09 AM	#9
slimforever06 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Hot and humid Posts: 2,407 Gallery: slimforever06 Stats: (18)/(4-6) WOE: Atkins! Start Date: 03/2000 (on Atkins 9 years and counting....)	Thank you!! I have not really been worried but yet was. She seems to be one of those Drs. that follows the AMA recommendations 100%. She's new to me too which is another problem. So statins are definitely not a good idea? I can definitely do better on exercise and my eating - I had really slacked off in the past few months and I think the carbs impacted my blood results way more than the low carb way of eating.

09-29-2009, 12:02 PM	#12
slimforever06 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Hot and humid Posts: 2,407 Gallery: slimforever06 Stats: (18)/(4-6) WOE: Atkins! Start Date: 03/2000 (on Atkins 9 years and counting....)	Any suggestions on how to lower the LDL? I've debated trying something like Weight Watchers because my Dr. is going to make me come back in 8 weeks and re-test - but honestly I don't want to screw myself completely up by changing plans!!!

09-29-2009, 03:40 PM	#14
slimforever06 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Hot and humid Posts: 2,407 Gallery: slimforever06 Stats: (18)/(4-6) WOE: Atkins! Start Date: 03/2000 (on Atkins 9 years and counting....)	yes I'm still losing a little weight - some regain I had. In fact right before I went in for the test I had lost about 9 lbs or so.

10-10-2009, 11:50 AM	#15
texastigerlily Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 560 Blog Entries: 1 Gallery: texastigerlily Stats: 221/193/120 WOE: 20 below carbs a day	I forget...which is which and where should it be?

10-13-2009, 07:24 PM	#16
ultimatehlth Junior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 14 Gallery: ultimatehlth	Galsal, You probably need to increase your fat intake. Try eating 1 - 1 1/2oz of walnuts or almonds each day, also good olives and avocado. Take fish oil 2-3 times daily. Have a glass of red wine with dinner, it has a profound effect on raising hdl. You can also take a niacin supplement, only the Nicotinic acid variety is effective. Take an aspirin 30 minutes prior to mitigate flushing. Exercise also helps, particularly resistance training.