Can someone help me calculate something with my cholesterol?

laureninva · 09-14-2009, 04:44 PM

My total cholesterol is 181. My LDL is 115 and my HDL is 43. My doc didn't mention my triglycerides but I know it is factored into the total.

From what I found online, to calculate total cholesterol, you add HDL and LDL, divide triglycerides by 5, and add that number to the sum of HDL and LDL.

Since I know my total, but not my Tri's, I think the division calculation needs to be done backward.

My sum of HDL and LDL is 158. Subtract that from 181 is 23. Then I think I multiply by 5 (instead of dividing) which gives me 115 for my triglyceride number.

If I'm doing it correctly then I think my Tri's are good, correct?

MACXXX · 09-14-2009, 05:37 PM

Your tris are < 150 which is OK. Under 100 would be better. Your Tri/HDL ratio should be < 2. For a female your HDL should be > 50. If you are losing weight your lipids may not improve until your weight stabilizes for a few months. Total cholesterol is meaningless. Only particle size and number is important and for that you need a VAP test or an NMR liproprotein test.

2big4mysize · 09-14-2009, 06:18 PM

yep your math is good.

it was though long time a go that 1/5th of the triglycerides were the VLDL so they were added to the toital now it is known the very small dangerous stuff is actually part of the LDL so next test ask for a complete panel and see that your high LDL is actually those not dangerous fluffy molecules and your VLDL is in the healthy range if it is.

sherlynn9 · 09-16-2009, 11:38 PM

Thanks for that clarification, 2big4mysize. I had that backward, thought the fluffy was the good LDL.

Sheryl

2big4mysize · 09-17-2009, 07:00 AM

fluffy is the good stuff and the very low density lipoproteins VDL are the bad stuff.

watcher513 · 09-17-2009, 06:32 PM

If you are Not getting copies of your labs, Ask for them to mail a copy to you. They belong to You.

09-14-2009, 04:44 PM	#1
laureninva MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Woodbridge Virginia Posts: 2,635 Gallery: laureninva Stats: 309/272/150 WOE: Atkins forever this time Start Date: Orig start 2/16/04 restart 8/12/09 for GOOD!	Can someone help me calculate something with my cholesterol? My total cholesterol is 181. My LDL is 115 and my HDL is 43. My doc didn't mention my triglycerides but I know it is factored into the total. From what I found online, to calculate total cholesterol, you add HDL and LDL, divide triglycerides by 5, and add that number to the sum of HDL and LDL. Since I know my total, but not my Tri's, I think the division calculation needs to be done backward. My sum of HDL and LDL is 158. Subtract that from 181 is 23. Then I think I multiply by 5 (instead of dividing) which gives me 115 for my triglyceride number. If I'm doing it correctly then I think my Tri's are good, correct?

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09-14-2009, 05:37 PM	#2
MACXXX Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CA Posts: 408 Gallery: MACXXX WOE: Atkins	Your tris are < 150 which is OK. Under 100 would be better. Your Tri/HDL ratio should be < 2. For a female your HDL should be > 50. If you are losing weight your lipids may not improve until your weight stabilizes for a few months. Total cholesterol is meaningless. Only particle size and number is important and for that you need a VAP test or an NMR liproprotein test.

09-14-2009, 06:18 PM	#3
2big4mysize Big Yapper!!!! Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 7,508 Gallery: 2big4mysize Stats: 313 to current goalie 169-173 WOE: Atkins 2002 Start Date: june 1 2002	yep your math is good. it was though long time a go that 1/5th of the triglycerides were the VLDL so they were added to the toital now it is known the very small dangerous stuff is actually part of the LDL so next test ask for a complete panel and see that your high LDL is actually those not dangerous fluffy molecules and your VLDL is in the healthy range if it is.

09-16-2009, 11:38 PM	#4
sherlynn9 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Concord, California, USA Posts: 678 Gallery: sherlynn9	Thanks for that clarification, 2big4mysize. I had that backward, thought the fluffy was the good LDL. Sheryl

09-17-2009, 07:00 AM	#5
2big4mysize Big Yapper!!!! Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 7,508 Gallery: 2big4mysize Stats: 313 to current goalie 169-173 WOE: Atkins 2002 Start Date: june 1 2002	fluffy is the good stuff and the very low density lipoproteins VDL are the bad stuff.

09-17-2009, 06:32 PM	#6
watcher513 Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sonoma County, CA Posts: 259 Gallery: watcher513	If you are Not getting copies of your labs, Ask for them to mail a copy to you. They belong to You.