Please Help Low-Carb Dieter. Is my cholesterol really too high? - High Cholesterol Message Board

OscarCat · 08-03-2004, 04:42 PM

I just found out that I have high cholesterol today. The doctor didn't prescribe any meds; she wants me to change my diet. I had been on a low-carb diet for about a month when I had it checked a couple of weeks ago. My numbers are:

LDL - 163
HDL - 73
Total - 248

Trig. 62

I have no idea what my cholesterol was like before I began the low-carb diet. The #s may have even been worse for all I know! But, I did not really increase my fat intake on the low-carb diet. I am 25 years old, and I am in my target weight range. From what I have read online today, my HDL and triglycerides are good. Aside from cutting out my 3-4 servings of full-fat cheese per day, I don't really see many changes that I need to make.

People keep referring to the ratio. What should the ratio of LDL to HDL be? In an earlier post, one person referred to LDL as garbage and HDL as garbage trucks. If so, I should be okay, right? Are my numbers balanced or should I be concerned?

Any info. is appreciated. I am quite disgusted that my doctor did not try to provide me with more info.

Thanks,
Olivia

ARIZONA73 · 08-03-2004, 05:24 PM

Olivia,

Your LDL/HDL ratio should be 2.5 or less. Yours is 2.2, which is within the range. The two factors which are really in your favor are your high HDL and low triglycerides. Some feel that the triglyceride/HDL ratio is a far better risk indicator. An ideal ratio would be 1.0, with 2.0 being the average. Yours is excellent, at just 0.9. A high HDL combined with low triglycerides correlates more strongly with Pattern A LDL, which is considered less harmful, since it is made up of mostly large, fluffy particles. On the other hand, Pattern B LDL more strongly correlates with low HDL and high triglycerides. This form of LDL is considered more dangerous, since it consists of primarily small, dense particles. Now, your LDL was most likely only calculated, not actually measured. If it was measured, then you would get a clearer picture of what the composition actually is in regards to particle size breakdown.

rc998 · 08-03-2004, 06:42 PM

arizona,

how is the ldl measured??

OscarCat · 08-03-2004, 07:33 PM

ARIZONA73,

Thanks for the info. I can tell you are quite knowledgable on the subject. So, would you suggest that I make changes to my diet even though I most likely have Pattern A LDL? Or, do you think I need to have it actually measured to be sure? Does a measurement have to be done in a research lab? Thanks again for the info.

Olivia

ARIZONA73 · 08-03-2004, 08:27 PM

Olivia,

You can request from your doctor to have your LDL measured, and thus obtain a more thorough breakdown regarding LDL particle size. But I would also ask to have lipoprotein(a) checked as well. Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is a variant form of LDL. This is ordinary LDL combined with an adhesive protein called apo(a). This is what adheres to the walls of your arteries. It has the potential to carry with it some oxidized LDL. If your Lp(a) number is 20 or more, then plaque is more likely to deposit in your arteries.

As far as diet is concerned, that is something that you'll have to decide. Your doctor may recommend a low-fat diet. Well, there's both good and bad to that. It may lower your total cholesterol as well as your LDL. But, at the same time, it may also lower your HDL, and you may also find that your triglycerides will go up due to an increase in carbohydrate consumption. It's up to you if you want to go on that kind of diet. Even if total cholesterol and LDL is reduced, there is no guarantee that your ratios will improve if your HDL goes down and triglycerides go up. As for myself, I'm more inclined to favor more of a low-carb approach.