Hi everyone

I had a physical about a week ago. I called the other day to get the results of the blood test. The nurse told me everything looked good. When I asked her what my cholesterol was, she told me that it is 229 and that it is a little high. I haven't been to a doctor in years, but the last time I went to one (different doctor), I remember them telling me my cholesterol was a little high back then too.
Should I be concerned or just ignore it? Anyone who I spoke to about this told me that it is too high and I should go to another doctor.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

I would want to know more about the breakdown of your total cholesterol. Do you know what the HDL and LDL were and how about triglycerides? That would tell more about whether you need to be concerned than just the total.

Thank you for your reply. I called them and asked them to fax me a copy of the results yesterday before they closed. I was told I should get a copy faxed today at some point.
I am hoping they will remember to do this. If not, I will have to call them on Monday. But I will post the numbers when I get the fax.

Thank you again!!

my cholesterol was 235 and the doctor wanted to put me on meds immediately. My breakdown was good though and that has a big impact on your risk.

I am trying to first lower my cholesterol with a stricter diet and lifestyle change.

If I were you, thats the way I would do it too.

I have already lost weight and now weigh 117 with 7 more pounds to go. I also see a dietician for this and she recommended low fat-high soluble fiber.

I think there's alot one can do before they take the drug avenue.

Though only a little high, any effort to lower your bad cholesterol will save you grief in the end. Eating less and exercising improves a person's health in so many ways -- including mental health. I'm a recent converted couch-potato with no choice in the matter. With a combined count of 9 diet and exercise won't lower my cholesterol enough, so I've been put on lipitor to bring it down further (the target being 4.5 or lower). So far there are no side effects to speak of and its been a month. Average eating, drinking and Drinking are not affecting the drug's performance (and vise-versa). All in all a satisfactory start to a major life-overhaul! Good luck with your numbers!

Thank you very much for your replies everyone!

I have the fax and the numbers are as follows:

HDL 90
LDL 129
Triglycerides 53

I am not sure how all they came up with the figure of 229. When I add them up, they don't equal that figure.

what are your thoughts on the numbers?

thank you again everyone!!

Believe me, you've got nothing to worry about. Your HDL is fantastic, and you've got rock-bottom triglyceride levels. I think you're in great shape. There's no need for you to concern yourself about having a total cholesterol of 229. By the way, if you want those numbers to add up correctly, you must divide your triglyceride number by 5, and then add that number to your LDL and HDL.

Thank you very much for the great news Arizona73!!!

I have one other question. I noticed on the report that there is a "within range" colum and an "outside range" colum. Also, there is a "reference range" colum.

All the numbers that I listed was in the outside range colum.
For example: listed under the "outside range" colum the HDL number is 90 and next to that number is the reference range of 35-55
also, next to the 90 is the letter H. ( I am taking that means high?)

For Triglycerides it has outside range of 53 and next to it has the letter L
In the reference colum it says 66-186 (I am taking the L means low?)

Does the colums have any meanings also?

thank you!!

Labs have different reference ranges based on the specific test they are using and to what "reference standard" they choose to use. The ref ranges for the lab that I use consider the following as "normal" for a screening type lipid panel:

TC: <200
HDL: > or = 40
C/HDL ratio: < 5
LDL: < 130
TG: < 150

Your HDL is higher then most people which is a good. Your TG is lower then most people and that is a good as well. Your TC is higher then what is considered desirable by some "researchers."

TC by itself really means very little as far as determining risk. More important then your numbers are several ratios which can help you identify CV risk. They are:

Cholesterol/HDL Ratio (ie Total Cholesterol divided by HDL):

HDL Percentage: HDL/Cholesterol X 100 (ie HDL divided by Total Chol X 100):

LDL/HDL Risk Ratio (ie LDL divided by HDL)


If you do a search on Google "How to Determine Your Cardiovascular Health" Dr. Mercola he has some very good info on the above lipid ratios and associated risk factors.

You should also discus with your doctor about testing your C-Reactive Protein(CRP), homocysteine, lipoprotein a (Lp a), ferritin and fibrinogen levels. They can provide some additional critical information in helping to establish your overall CVD risk.

Can anyone direct me to a decent site article on lipoprotein in layman's terms. I am so confused.

Thanks. In fact... many, many thanks! :bouncing:

My regular lipid profile numbers on the surface are good. But in light of recent calcium/plaque burden found in my LAD, I feel I should request more thorough lipid testing.