Confused about cholesterol results particularly the Pattern B ldl's - High Cholesterol Message Board

naturegirl07 · 01-15-2008, 06:01 AM

My husband has had two lipid profiiles within three months. They are as follows:
First /Second-after 3 months
TC 240/244
TG 88/143
HDL 44/48
Chol/hdl -c ratio 5.5/5.1
LDL/hdl ratio4.0/3.5
vldl 17/28
LDL-P 1991/2246
small ldl-p 1644/1917
ldl particle size 20.3/19.7
Also had the following tests done the second time ( after 3 months)
LP (a) <3.0
hs-CRP 0.2
Homocysteine 12.69
His Doctor wants to put him on statins. We would prefer to not use them if possible. A little background first is that my husband is 5 11′ 195 pounds, exercises walks and yoga regularly, has heart disease in family. and has blood pressure of systolic in 130-35 range and diastolic from 65-70 range.

The triglycerides are within normal range but his ldl particle sizes are very small (Pattern B?) and he has alot of them. Is there a way to increase the particle size and decrease the number by food, supplements and more exercise? Also, what is the best way to increase the HDL’s. Sorry, one more question, does having normal lipoprotein (a) , CRP and HOmocysteine counteract or lower the other risk factors (LDL numbers and particle sizes and numbers)? How does Niacin affect particle size and number? If lp (a) is very low already can Niacin have a negative effect on it?

Thanks so much.

The Mayor · 01-15-2008, 10:29 AM

naturegirl;
I had a VAP blood test done recently that tested for many of the categories you have listed. I was very happy to find out for the first time in my life that I have the "Pattern A" LDL particle size which is the "large buoyant" type.
I read recently in one of my health magazines that the small, dense (Pattern B) type triples ones likelihood of developing coronary plaque and suffering a heart attack, so yes it is more dangerous to have that type. Not sure however if you can change the pattern density. I will try and find out more for you.

naturegirl07 · 01-15-2008, 04:36 PM

Mayor,

Congratulations on having the Pattern A LDL's. I have them too but unfortunately my husband has the B. Was this the first time you had the test done or was it that you were able to change your pattern from B to A. If that 's the case, how long did it take you to do it?

The Mayor · 01-16-2008, 09:18 AM

naturegirl,
Yes that was the first time I had a VAP test done.

Red60 · 01-18-2008, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naturegirl07

My husband has had two lipid profiiles within three months. They are as follows:
First /Second-after 3 months
TC 240/244
TG 88/143
HDL 44/48
Chol/hdl -c ratio 5.5/5.1
LDL/hdl ratio4.0/3.5
vldl 17/28
LDL-P 1991/2246
small ldl-p 1644/1917
ldl particle size 20.3/19.7
Also had the following tests done the second time ( after 3 months)
LP (a) <3.0
hs-CRP 0.2
Homocysteine 12.69
His Doctor wants to put him on statins. We would prefer to not use them if possible. A little background first is that my husband is 5 11′ 195 pounds, exercises walks and yoga regularly, has heart disease in family. and has blood pressure of systolic in 130-35 range and diastolic from 65-70 range.

The triglycerides are within normal range but his ldl particle sizes are very small (Pattern B?) and he has alot of them. Is there a way to increase the particle size and decrease the number by food, supplements and more exercise? Also, what is the best way to increase the HDLâ€™s. Sorry, one more question, does having normal lipoprotein (a) , CRP and HOmocysteine counteract or lower the other risk factors (LDL numbers and particle sizes and numbers)? How does Niacin affect particle size and number? If lp (a) is very low already can Niacin have a negative effect on it?

Thanks so much.

This is what I would recommend for your husband. Cut back on all grain products and totaly eliminate wheat from his diet. Try a low carb diet and shoot to get those TGs down into the 70s or lower. Once that happens I'll bet he will see a significant improvement in particle size. Have a Vitamin d blood check done if it is not at an optimal level then supplement or get enough sun exposure to achieve optimal levels of Vitamin D3. Niacin is the most effective treatment to increase the particle size and it is also the only effective treatment to lower Lp (a) so I would choose it's treatment over statins if he can tolerate it.