Ok Here are the real numbers arizona tell me what you think! - High Cholesterol Message Board

drummer1 · 08-16-2004, 08:11 AM

Total Cholestorol-167
LdL-75
HdL-24
Trig-339

So, I did get the info wrong, but still the trigs are high.Should I still take 40mg of zocor? And how bad are my numbers? This bored is great,I get more info here than from my doctor! How do I get the hdl up and the tris down?Does this mean I can still eat meat!

NineLives · 08-16-2004, 08:57 AM

Sure you can eat meat. In fact the trigs being 339 is an indicator that you may be getting too many carbs. Even though your total cholesterol is low at 167 your HDL is also low making your risk ratio about 7.95. That's too high. Also the trigs being high with a low HDL also puts you at pretty high risk. My husband has had good luck using Tricor to lower the trigs. Exercise should help bring up your HDL but it is sometimes a slow process getting it up.

CobaltBlue · 08-16-2004, 09:35 AM

As NineLives mentioned you may be taking in too many carbs--I just wanted to add, and/or you might not be doing enough (cardio) exercise. Exercise will not only decrease the triglycerides, but also increase your HDL-C.

As far as oral meds go, NineLives mentioned Tricor, which does do a good job of decreasing TG and helping a bit to raise HDL-C. I was on Tricor for a few years without any side effects. Daily exercise and proper diet obviated the need for that or any other cholesterol-altering med (in my case).

drummer1 · 08-16-2004, 11:14 AM

I am on zocor and it was just raised to 40mg.Anyway I dont fully understand the trigs.How can my LdL Be so low and yet my trigs high? I mean Ldl at 75 is great right? Doenst that mean I dont have tons of fat in my veins? Please explain the trig number so I can understand it better and what exactly is the risk I have whats 7.5 mean? I thought 167 was a great number,guess not.So to be clear, diet does not raise HDL? I feel I get exercise at a normal amount anyway,what are some other tips to raise Hdl..

NineLives · 08-16-2004, 12:49 PM

Triglycerides can be raised by eating a diet too high in fats and sugars. Alcohol is another example of something that can raise triglycerices also breads especially white breads. A diet too high in transfats can also raise triglycerides and lower you HDL. Transfats are found in alot of baked goods and give added shelf life to foods. Fast food restaurants also may fry your french fries in hydrogenated oils. Margarine has transfat.
Your risk ratio of 7.95 puts you at 2X the normal risk of coronary artery disease. A risk ratio 4 is desirable, but I've heard that some doctors want it lower. An LDL of below 100 is good but comparing your total to your HDL you are at risk. There is so much more to be discovered about heart disease. Some say inflammation is the real culprit and the bad lipids just adds fuel to the fire. It seems that scientists change their minds almost daily when it comes to lipid levels, inflammation and heart disease.
When you say exercise at a normal amount what type of exercise are you doing and for how long? Some people think that because their job requires them to be on their feet maybe walking around a plant or even taking stairs everyday instead of the elevator is enough. This might not be the case with you, but I thought it was worth consideration. Truth is you need to be doing exercise that raises your heartrate and keeps it up for a prolonged period to help raise your HDL.