Cholesterol Numbers: Should I be worried?

[Kathy]

My cholesterol went up 50 points :eek: in one year. This is partly because my HDL went up 20 points-from 55 to 75! My triglycerides are 64, my LDL is 187, and my overall number is 272. My ratios look OK also (2.5 and 3.6). Why does 272 scare me? Am I brainwashed, or should I worry?

[BeccainSC]

Those are actually excellent results. The Eades' explain in their PPLP book about the shift from type B LDL to type A LDL where type B is considered to be the "bad" version. A low triglyceride reading is indicative of a type A pattern. Your HDL is terrific and your ratios are also very good.

These are results to be proud of! I wish mine looked that good.

[Kathy]

Those are actually excellent results. The Eades' explain in their PPLP book about the shift from type B LDL to type A LDL where type B is considered to be the "bad" version. A low triglyceride reading is indicative of a type A pattern. Your HDL is terrific and your ratios are also very good.

These are results to be proud of! I wish mine looked that good.

Thanks, Becca. I went back to the PPLP and re-read the chapter on Cholesterol. I had forgotten the gist of the chapter, which is that triglycerides, HDL and ratios are more indicative of CHD than the total number. Since I'm a member of a cheap HMO and have a conservative doctor who won't perform tests unless you're dying, I did not receive the VLDL breakdowns (whether they're "fluffy" or not). As you said, my tryglycerides are indicative of the good LDL. :)

[stumble]

I just got my very first blood analysis report back from my (conservative) clinic. I'm 56 years old and have no old tests to compare. But I do have blood donation cholesterol reports. And they have always been low. I also don't have the book your refer to.

Next to my LDL cholesterol number of 173 the doctor noted "needs cholesterol treatment".

My triglycerides is 40 and my HDL is 60.

So what do I say to my doctor when she prescribes Litpitor for me?

I can probably get the LDL down - just choose a daily desert other than cheesecake (the recipe I found in another Eades cookbook.

What I'm really worries about is my Anion Gap of 4. The doctor ignored this (nothing noted) but my web search told me it indicates cancer.

[BeccainSC]

I just got my very first blood analysis report back from my (conservative) clinic. I'm 56 years old and have no old tests to compare. But I do have blood donation cholesterol reports. And they have always been low. I also don't have the book your refer to.

Next to my LDL cholesterol number of 173 the doctor noted "needs cholesterol treatment".

My triglycerides is 40 and my HDL is 60.

So what do I say to my doctor when she prescribes Litpitor for me?

I can probably get the LDL down - just choose a daily desert other than cheesecake (the recipe I found in another Eades cookbook.

What I'm really worries about is my Anion Gap of 4. The doctor ignored this (nothing noted) but my web search told me it indicates cancer.


I've never heard of the Anion Gap so I can't give any response to that, but as to your cholesterol.....

Ratios mean far more than actual numbers.

LDL/HDL should be <3 2.88 - no problems
TC/HDL should be <4 you didn't give us that number and while I could "do the math" to find it, given the other numbers you're probably fine here
Triglcyerides/HDL should be <2 0.67 - definitely not a problem there

As I mentioned in my previous response, low Tris' generally indicate a type "A" pattern LDL which is actually thought to be beneficial, so even if your LDL is seemingly high, it's not really that bad.

As to what to tell your doctor. What I told mine for a couple of years now is "I won't take statins. You can prescribe all you want, I won't fill it or take it." My last lab results, in November, still weren't great but they were improved so for a change she didn't say anything about meds.

In all seriousness, you should ask your doctor to consider the ratios. Your HDL is terrific and your Tri's are super low. I really don't see a problem with your numbers.

HTH


'becca