Anyone heard of an HDL this low? - High Cholesterol Message Board

Lynne45 · 07-23-2008, 07:42 PM

Hello. I'm concerned about my husband's HDL of 23 since I understand this is a big predictor of heart disease. His LDL is 131; total cholesterol is 176; and triglycerides 83. His weight and blood pressure are good. He had all of this checked today at a community health screening, so he hasn't seen his doctor yet. The nurse told him to exercise more (he is already active) and sprinkle ground flax seed on his food to raise his HDL. I've also been reading about the benefits of fish oil and Niacin, but from what I've read, these might raise the HDL 5%-10% which isn't much. Has anyone heard of an HDL as low as 23?

LauraBow · 07-23-2008, 09:29 PM

Yes. My husband's HDL was 20 the last time tested. The first time it was checked 20 years ago, it was 8. He has been on 10mg Lipitor and it got up to 28. His LDL is about 100. He did cut back on the Lipitor recently and the result was that his HDL dropped. The triglyceride result is important too. My husband's is fairly low.

miket78 · 07-24-2008, 08:04 AM

hello just wanted to share about my hdl when i was 26. just went to the doc for my knee so did test. also he said to test my cholesterol and shocking my hdl was 22, so he told me to excersice eat good and we will see in three months. so after 3 months it was 26 but not much. so he put me on niaspan 500mg 2x a day and after three months on that it went up to 37. made a big difference and also felt very full of energy. iam now 29 and my hdl is 43 so must run in his genes as well as lifestyle. my he said was genes but it was good that i caught it at a young age instead of going years w/o knowing.

but i believe that your husband will be fine w/ lifestyle change or niaspan. also red wine 2 8oz glasses a day will raise it by 14%, w exercise and low carb diet change, w/o meds. also omega 3 fish oil that is natural organic fish oil 1.5 to 2 grams a day. what my doc says that my liver needs a boost so that hdl could start working. and people go years w/o knowing but know that hdl is the 1 predictor of heart disease in the future. so hdl work as vaccum cleaner in the arteries to clean up the ldl particles and bring them back to the liver so it can be wasted and that what niaspan does.

hope this help. have a blessed day

mod-anon · 07-24-2008, 09:43 AM

miket78,

Please use punctuation so that others can read your posts easier.

Lynne45 · 07-24-2008, 05:17 PM

Thanks for the replies. I'm encouraging my hubby to go see his doctor who he hasn't seen for about 7 years.