New and need help with test numbers - High Cholesterol Message Board

pl6462 · 08-29-2007, 09:21 AM

Hi,

I'm very new to this. I just got my blood results back from my Endocrinologist, I am hypothyroid. Anyway he didn't mention the high cholesteral results. I was wondering if anyone can help me with these numbers. I know nothing about this and I don't know how to read them. All I know is they are high. Also if you could help me and explain what HDL is and LDL, and how the ratio's work. Any help would be so much appreciated. Below are the results and thanks for any help.

Cholesterol, Total 220 (high) Ref Range 100-199
Triglyserides 164 (high) 0-149
HDL chol. 46 46-59
Vldl Chol Cal 33 5-40
LDL Chol. Cal 141 (high) 0-99

LDL/HDL Ratio 3.1 0.0 - 3.2

It looks awful to me and scary.

Thanks,
PL6462

Red60 · 08-29-2007, 10:30 AM

First thing is make sure your thyroid condition is being properly treated as it can have an effect on the production of cholesterol. If you do not have any other CHD risks then your numbers are not really to bad and could probably be controled with improvements in diet and a little exercise.

If you don't feel you can make any improvements or don't care to change your lifestyle then there is always the option of treating with medications if you and your dr feel it's neccessary.

I can tell you there are many different opinions on the topic of cholesterol and it's role in CHD. I suggest spending a little time researching so you can best decide what's right for you. I think that one of the most important factors regardless of which dirrection you choose to go is your belief and confidence in what you're doing.

Guy1_USA · 08-29-2007, 11:32 AM

Your cholesterol numbers look pretty decent. You ratio is fantastic... I'd love that ratio. Your LDL is just a tad higher than the 200 you would want... but I wouldn't worry at all about that.

Maybe consider a small dose of niacin or Niaspan. It would lower your LDL a bit and increase your HDL a bit... and improve your already outstanding ratio.

Don't worry a bit... and good luck.

dalgal · 08-29-2007, 03:17 PM

HDL (high-density lipoproteins)- "good/protective" cholesterol
LDL (low-density lipoproteins)- "bad" cholesterol
VLDL (very low-density lipoproteins)- also "bad" cholesterol
Triglycerides- fats carried in the blood

Looking at your results, it appears all aspects of your cholesterol can use some improvement.
Some of the most recent guidelines suggest that if you are female, having an HDL lower then 50 is considered a risk factor for heart disease. 60 and above is considered optimal.
LDL less than 100 is optimal.
Talk with your doctor about what you can do to improve your numbers. Also, if you had not been "fasting" for 12 hours prior to when your blood was drawn, the numbers would not be accurate (that would also explain your high triglyceride level). Hope this helps.

JaneM · 08-29-2007, 03:22 PM

Hi there!

I am assuming your Endo gave you medication for your hypothyroidism? If so, most likely he wants to see if the medication will improve your cholesterol numbers before trying anything else. For some, the cholesterol numbers will improve once the hypothyroidism is under control.

HDL is good cholesterol, and your 46 is very respectable. The higher your HDL the better. LDL is the bad cholesterol, so the lower the better. Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the blood. They are the easiest to lower by watching carb intake as well as alcohol and anything sugar related. You might want to check out the American Heart Assoc. website at [url]www.americanheart.org[/url] for more basic information.

Your cholesterol numbers really aren't that bad, but it can be a shock the first time you see they are out of whack. Although thyroid meds may help them, you might also want to consider making a few dietary changes. If you don't exercise regularly, aim for 30 minutes a day minimum of activity (like walking.) As one who also has a thyroid that is an underachiever

, I can tell you that a good diet and exercise help me manage that condition as well as my cholesterol. A good diet and exercise keeps my weight down, gives me energy, and makes me feel better overall.

Good luck!