My doctor wants me on Zocor or Zetia right away but I dislike taking meds because of side effects.

Here are my numbers:

Total: 207
HDL: 43
LDL: 150
Triglycerides: 68
Non-HDL 164

Are these bad enough to warrant taking meds?

Also, what is non-hdl?

Are you diabetic? Non HDL is a measure of total cholesterol minus HDL cholesterol, is a predictor of CVD in patients with diabetes. I'm not sure what the guidelines are for non-HDL, so can't say if it is high or not.

Your LDL is a little high, but the rest of your numbers look fine. Don't see any reason for meds. Do you have a strong family history of heart disease, or are you a high risk person? High risk is usually, people with high BP, diabetes, overweight, smoker or a combination of 2 or more.

I'm sure other folks here will give you more insight, but I see a fairly good lipid panel on you. A little background history on yourself might also help.

Best wishes, hope I helped some.....:wave:

Think I figured it out. The guidelines for LDL is 130, so your non hdl, which is your hdl subtracted from your TC shouldn't be more then 30 pts. over the guidelines. Seeing your's is 164, your over the guidelines, that is why the dr. wanted you to take something. Have you tried diet and exercise to reduce your LDL? I would try that route before going on meds.

They keep lowering the guidelines, so I get confused with all these new numbers. Like I said before, it also depends on your risk factors. The more at risk you are, the lower they prefer your numbers. Some drs. like your LDL as low as possible, sometimes I think they go overboard with expectations. JMHO



Good luck.....:wave:

I don't really have any other factors that I know of.
I was adopted from birth so I don't know my family history.
I do not smoke and have no history of heart diease.
I do not have diabetes.
My BP runs about 140/90 (not real sure if that is normal or not) but at other times it has been as low as 120/70.

Sounds to me like you can just try some diet changes to lower your LDL, as you sound pretty healthy. I hear you about the not knowing your real family thing. As far as your BP, sounds like you have the 140/90 when at the drss.? As long as your not on meds. for it, then obviously your not suffering from it, probably good old white coat at the drs.

Read some of the posts on here, as alot of folks have given some of their remedies for lowering LDL naturally. One thing you could do is try taking a 1/2 tsp. of cinnamon each day, just the regular stuff you buy at the grocery store, nothing expensive, I get it for about 1.29 a jar. it also helps keep your glucose levels stable as well. No trans fats. or processed foods, and of course ditch junk food if you eat it. I'm sure with a few changes you will do fine. My numbers jump around alot, and I have tried meds., but have had nasty side effects, as I am very sensative to meds. period, so I struggle with diet and exercise, and do the best I can.

Best wishes......:wave:

You doctor must need some more points for putting someone on cholesterol lowering medications. Regardless of what doctors say, the whole world does not need to be on statins (or other cholesterol lowering medications).

You doctor must need some more points for putting someone on cholesterol lowering medications. Regardless of what doctors say, the whole world does not need to be on statins (or other cholesterol lowering medications).

So, you think my numbers are in a good range? I really want to avoid taking the meds if possible (although I don't know how easy a diet will be for me...lol)

I don't think you numbers are that bad, even if you believe in cholesterol numbers. I know diets are hard, and i hate them. Try what JJ has tried with the cinnamon. Even people at the USDA were amazed with cinnamon, and are working on several patents on some form of cinnamon. They gave people apple pie wanting to test their sugar levels after eating it. It didn't come up as suspected. They then discovered that the apple pie contained cinnamon. You can find this by searching for USDA and cinnamon. Look at a southbeach diet. This might give you some insight. You need to be taking fish oil capsules, as this has been proven to reduce of stop inflammation in the arteries. My own opinion and that of many experts is that inflammation is the key to heart disease, and not just cholesterol numbers. I know from personal expierence that my mother must keep her total cholesterol in the 240-265 range or she has severe side effects. Her CRP and homocystine are all low as is her L(p)a. Lowering her cholesterol is what caused the brian damage to her cerebellum. Just try to enjoy life, and watch the fast foods, preserved food, sugars and flours, carbs. You don't have to cut them out completely....just watch them. Also if people don't exercise pills don't do much to help the physical well being of the body. They might reduce the symptoms, but they won't improve it.

Mine was 253 the last time it was checked and I was thrilled with that. On statins, mine got down to 169 but I was almost non functional.

I see you have the internet so use it to Educated yourself on how to get them down naturally and rather those numbers are really that important unless you have certian risk factors. Try everything and anything possiable before ever swollowing that first one... But I think your numbers are great!

My own personal belief is that one number does not fit all where cholesterol is concerned... all our bodies are different.