I don't want to go on meds. but here are my numbers:
Total 221
LDL 137
HDL 75
Triglycerides 47

The nurse said my HDL was too high??!!

Umm... a doctor wanted to put you on medication with those numbers? Why?

The only thing slightly higher than it should be is your LDL. Depending on risk factors (like if you had a heart attack) perhaps statins would be warranted to get your LDL under 100.

Otherwise, I see nothing that bad regarding your numbers. HDL is good to have, generally speaking, so no clue what the nurse is referring to.

Did you have a lipoprotein test, or a standard lipid profile? If the former, you should have a breakdown of HDL particles. If it's mostly HDL-2, you are in great shape.

Thanks namelessme, I don't know why my doctor wants to put me on meds for this. I don't have a history of heart disease. I recently had an excellent stress treadmill test. Came out with flying colors. I always heard HDL should be 60 or higher. I am going to try to lower my LDL. It just that I love to eat eggs for breakfast usuall 2-3. I guess my doctor says if the total cholesterol is above 200 prescribe pills automatically and regardless.:confused:
But I am not about to go on medication for this. I am already on HBP medication.
Thanks again

Try some dietary changes to lower LDL, like you are planning, and see how the numbers go. I'd also advise asking for a lipoprotein test from your doctor next time (VAP, NMR), as they are not only more accurate, but they also show particle sizes.

A little known fact to many (seemingly) is that LDL doesn't cause heart disease. Small LDL particles are the culprit. Large fat LDLs are probably harmless, or close to it. So a regular cholesterol test isn't always useful in determining a person's true risk. That said, a high HDL is generally good to have and your low triglycerides are also great.

I've never heard of a doctor recommending medication simply because a person's total cholesterol is over 200, without taking into account overall risk factors and how LDL/HDL/Triglycerides break down. Frankly speaking, that's just dumb.

Namelessme,
Thanks, I guess it is because of my HBP. But as you say, my numbers are ok except for the LDL. My doctor says LDL should be below 100. I have head is under 130 is ok. I think I can drop my LDL by cutting back on eggs. I don't know if they did a lipoprotein test. I just had a fasting panel of blood tests. I will have to ask, hopefully they will know what I am talking about.

I don't want to go on meds. but here are my numbers:
Total 221
LDL 137
HDL 75
Triglycerides 47

The nurse said my HDL was too high??!!


No such thing as HDL that is too high. The higher, the better. My wife's HDL is 103.

Your cholesterol numbers are extremely good... EXTREMELY GOOD!

your ratio is 2.94 and any ratio below 3.2 is considered extremely good.

If your HDL was as low as many folks are, your total cholesterol would be below 190.

You do not a have a thing to worry about.

Did I mention that your cholesterol numbers are extremely good..? :D

Namelessme,
my numbers are ok except for the LDL. My doctor says LDL should be below 100. I have head is under 130 is ok.



130 and under is perfectly OK. you do not need below 100... especially with your high HDL that you have.

Each upward tick in HDL is a 10-fold improvement. Each downward tick in LDL is only a 3 fold improvement.

Did I mention that your cholesterol numbers are extremely good...? :cool:

Don't cut back on eggs... I wouldn't change a thing.

There have been a lot of folks who started messing around with their diet, cutting out cholesterol and fat... and their number just got worse.

Dietary cholesterol has very little impact on cholesterol numbers for most folks. The best remedy for high BP is weight loss and exercise. You actually have a good chance to get off BP meds altogether with enough weight loss and exercise.

The guildline say HDL above 60 is high... only because most can't get above 50. I have never heard of a Doctor being concerned about HDL above 100.

One more thing... do not ever consider taking statins unless your cholesterol is extremely bad... and then you might want to not consider them anyway.

Best of luck. :)

I don't want to go on meds. but here are my numbers:
Total 221
LDL 137
HDL 75
Triglycerides 47

The nurse said my HDL was too high??!!

I'm not sure what your nurse is smoking but higer is better with hdl. Hopefully your doctor isn't hanging out with the nurse after hours.

Your numbers look good on the surface. But as namelessme pointed out you really need a lipoprotein test to be able to determine if you have a cholesterol problem. If your LDL of 137 are of the larger particle size then no need to worry. If they are toward the smaller size then yes some type of action maybe required. It would also be a good idea to check your lp (a) numbers.

Based on your good HDL numbers and excellentTGs numbers I would place my money on your LDL being of the larger variety. But It would be best to confirm with a proper test.

Thanks Red60, I will ask for the lipoprotein test when I go back in 6 weeks. They will probably look at me like I'm crazy:D