I am soooo confused! - High Cholesterol Message Board

Melissa217 · 07-19-2007, 07:50 PM

I had my yearly check up on Monday and the blood workup results are in...all is fine except my cholesterol numbers aren't that great again this year. And my gyno will be faxing the results to my regular doc. But can someone explain what all this means in English before I go see my Internal Medicine doc.....

Last Year's results
LDL - 149
HDL - 50
Tri - 213

This Year's results
LDL - 163
HDL - 65
Tri - 131

I am 37, weigh 128, 5' 5", athletic average frame female and wear a size 4 or 6 just depends on the brand of clothing. After my knee surgery 4 years ago, I gained a few pounds and when was able to get back in the gym...lost it. At the same time, I also changed my eating habits. I now eat egg whites, less red meat and more fish/salmon, turkey sandwiches (plain) usually for lunch. No chips, don't enjoy sweets, but my weakness is drinking when out with friends. I have cut back on the bud light and have switched to Vodka and Sprite zero and just recently gave up Margarita's. I'm in the gym at least 3 times a week doing cardio/weight resistance training and on the golf course or driving range at least once a week. What else do I need to do? And again, what do these numbers mean? I do have to mention that my dad is on Lipator but I don't want to start taking meds so young. Thanks in advance for any advice anyone might have!

Guy1_USA · 07-20-2007, 01:14 PM

Your ratio is a respectibale 3.9

Don't let age bother you... I've been dealing with high cholesterol and high BP since I was 32. That's life.

Consider niacin... it's vitamin B-3. I take it in the form of Niaspan Extended release (prescription only).

Only consider statins (Lipitor, pravachol, zocor, etc) as a last resort. Been there, done that.

Melissa217 · 07-20-2007, 02:12 PM

Thanks Ventureman...I did forget to mention the ratio but are right on. I'll get with my doc on the niacin extended form. I don't have kids yet, so Lipitor and all that other stuff just isn't an option in my opinion. Too risky if I were to become pregnant. Now all I have to do is find foods that are lower in cholesterol and ones that I like. What are the odds?? HA! Thanks again!

Guy1_USA · 07-20-2007, 04:33 PM

Food low in cholesterol have never helped me... never. My opinion is eating foods low in cholesterol is a bunch of croc.

Your liver produces 90% to 100% of the cholesterol in your body... because you need cholesterol. I'm pretty sure my liver produces 100% of my cholesterol.

I cut out all animal fat and cholesterol from my diet for about a year, and my cholesterol went through the roof. I've had the best cholesterol results with diet alone when I was on the Atkin's diet. I'm pretty sure carbs raise cholesterol more than foods with cholesterol like meat and cheese and eggs.

Give the Niaspan a try... you may be luckly like me and tollerate it very well. Make sure to give it a good try for a month... you will get some flushing as you body adjusts. Only take it at bedtime. Some folks take aspirin 30 minutes before the niacin to reduce the flushing. Lenin does this.

Good luck.

Melissa217 · 07-20-2007, 06:02 PM

Thanks again!