ivnslady2004
03-13-2006, 02:21 PM
My husband and I both had blood work done last week and his total cholesterol was 336 and bad was 268. They said his CDL to HDL ratio was 6 which was very bad...what does that mean? The nurse says he will need treatment?? Please explain. Also my total number was 204 and bad is 70 but my platelets are high (I think that's what she said) and I need to take an aspirin a day. Are those numbers high? Thank you for any help. We don't see the Dr. until April.
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ivnslady2004
03-13-2006, 03:39 PM
This is all new to me so I didn't know what to ask the nurse when she called. All she told me was my total cholesterol was 204 and bad cholesterol was 70. Then she said my platelets were high. Should there have been more numbers? Thank you for your help.
Tobias
03-13-2006, 07:07 PM
"I don't understand why nurses when they call only give half of the information."
I suspect that sometimes medical personnel assume the lowest common denominator of knowledge of medical terminology and begin by assuming that laypersons wouldn't understand the details if they were given.
To ivnslady: Your husband's numbers are very high and the treatment the dr. will probably suggest will be a statin drug accompanied by any dietary and lifestyle changes that might pertain. Usually it is a good idea to try the diet and lifestyle changes first to see what kind of effect they have before settling on adding a statin to the mix. You may discover that the doctor wants him on a statin right away, not surprising with numbers as bad as his are.
The prescribing of statins can be a contentious issue on boards such as this one as there are some detractors. However there are also many who take these drugs without undue adverse effects. I am one (Lipitor, 10mg) who tried diet and lifestyle changes for a year to get my 277 TC and 177 LDL down. I must have been doing things all wrong (possibly partially true). Anyway it is amazing what the statin has accomplished (>200 TC and >120 LDL) and I have had no side effects after 3 years.
I suspect that sometimes medical personnel assume the lowest common denominator of knowledge of medical terminology and begin by assuming that laypersons wouldn't understand the details if they were given.
To ivnslady: Your husband's numbers are very high and the treatment the dr. will probably suggest will be a statin drug accompanied by any dietary and lifestyle changes that might pertain. Usually it is a good idea to try the diet and lifestyle changes first to see what kind of effect they have before settling on adding a statin to the mix. You may discover that the doctor wants him on a statin right away, not surprising with numbers as bad as his are.
The prescribing of statins can be a contentious issue on boards such as this one as there are some detractors. However there are also many who take these drugs without undue adverse effects. I am one (Lipitor, 10mg) who tried diet and lifestyle changes for a year to get my 277 TC and 177 LDL down. I must have been doing things all wrong (possibly partially true). Anyway it is amazing what the statin has accomplished (>200 TC and >120 LDL) and I have had no side effects after 3 years.
HubbleRules
03-13-2006, 09:50 PM
My husband and I both had blood work done last week and his total cholesterol was 336 and bad was 268. They said his CDL to HDL ratio was 6 which was very bad...what does that mean? The nurse says he will need treatment?? Please explain. Also my total number was 204 and bad is 70 but my platelets are high (I think that's what she said) and I need to take an aspirin a day. Are those numbers high? Thank you for any help. We don't see the Dr. until April.
ivnslady2004,
Your hubbly definitely needs help with his cholesterol - it is too high... Your's is only borderline high - and if your LDL is only 70, that is very good news... You should be able to get by with diet modifications and perhaps exercise.
As for Hubby, with a level that high, he should try to change his diet (less saturated fats, no trans fats, less alcohol, sweets, more fruits and vegetables and whole grains)... But I don't think he will reduce his numbers sufficiently with diet alone. The 'treatment' the nurse refers to is medication. Probably a statin.
Once he starts on the drug, just have him be aware of any sudden, unexplained muscle pains or weakness - because it could be a side-effect of the drug. The chances of this happening are low, but you should be aware of it so he can stop the med if he runs into this... He should be fine on the drug.
Some people like to spin anyone who warns others of statin side-effects as 'detractors' - I prefer to think we are helping others from running into complications that we personally experienced. Often doctors tell you nothing of potential side-effects, and you don't make the association when you have them and so continue with the meds. Continuing on the meds after side-effects begin is how you can run into problems...
HubbleRules
:cool:
ivnslady2004,
Your hubbly definitely needs help with his cholesterol - it is too high... Your's is only borderline high - and if your LDL is only 70, that is very good news... You should be able to get by with diet modifications and perhaps exercise.
As for Hubby, with a level that high, he should try to change his diet (less saturated fats, no trans fats, less alcohol, sweets, more fruits and vegetables and whole grains)... But I don't think he will reduce his numbers sufficiently with diet alone. The 'treatment' the nurse refers to is medication. Probably a statin.
Once he starts on the drug, just have him be aware of any sudden, unexplained muscle pains or weakness - because it could be a side-effect of the drug. The chances of this happening are low, but you should be aware of it so he can stop the med if he runs into this... He should be fine on the drug.
Some people like to spin anyone who warns others of statin side-effects as 'detractors' - I prefer to think we are helping others from running into complications that we personally experienced. Often doctors tell you nothing of potential side-effects, and you don't make the association when you have them and so continue with the meds. Continuing on the meds after side-effects begin is how you can run into problems...
HubbleRules
:cool:
ivnslady2004
03-14-2006, 07:21 AM
I decided to call my Dr.'s office back yesterday afternoon and ask for all the numbers. The nurse told me these: Husband's- total- 336 HDL-43 LDL-268 Tryglicerides-124 CDL to HDL ratio-6 Mine were- total- 204 HDL-70 LDL-99 Tryglicerides- 177 She didn't give me a CDL to HDL ratio. And my blood platelets are high so I have to take an aspirin each day now. My husband is really worried now and we are working on a diet for him to follow. Is there a chance that he may not have to take meds if he sticks to this diet?
Lenin
03-14-2006, 10:07 AM
ivnslady,
Even worse for your husband, the Total Cholesterol/HDL ratio, which SHOULD be under 4.0 is 7.8...he's on dangerous ground.
Isn't it amazing how 2 people eating in the same household can have such vastly different numbers...your are quite good.
ALWYAS ask for a copy of the lab printout and stick it in a file...for EVERY test you have done. After alll, YOU bought and paid for them.
Your husband will almost certainly be put on statins...and he NEEDS them.
Even worse for your husband, the Total Cholesterol/HDL ratio, which SHOULD be under 4.0 is 7.8...he's on dangerous ground.
Isn't it amazing how 2 people eating in the same household can have such vastly different numbers...your are quite good.
ALWYAS ask for a copy of the lab printout and stick it in a file...for EVERY test you have done. After alll, YOU bought and paid for them.
Your husband will almost certainly be put on statins...and he NEEDS them.
ivnslady2004
03-14-2006, 01:01 PM
Thank you everyone for your help and support. You have given me some valuable information to work with. I will start requesting copies of all health related reports now. I'll post again when we see the Dr. in April.