I think these levels are fine but... - High Cholesterol Message Board

zuuzuu · 05-09-2009, 02:11 PM

My dh thinks my cholesterol is WAY too high:
Total: 208 (not great, I agree) but
LDL: 127
HDL: 64
Trigly: 83

I'm a healthy 49 y.o. female, no risk factors that I know of. Doctor apparently not concerned; just said repeat at annual in a year. I think DH is not taking the good HDL # into consideration. So, just asking here - do you see cause of concern? The only other thing I'll mention is that my cholesterol in the past has always been pretty low (140-150 total, BUT HDL was low too, like 40-50; trigl. usually closer to 50).

Thanks.

tjlhb · 05-09-2009, 09:23 PM

Do you remember your previous LDL measurements?

Your current LDL level is considered higher than optimal (<100) from a heart disease standpoint, though your doctor may not be too concerned if you have high HDL and no other risk factors (though since s/he suggested getting it measured again in just a year, that may indicate enough concern to want to keep it under closer watch than normal).

namelessme · 05-09-2009, 10:25 PM

Total cholesterol is basically a meaningless number. I don't even know why doctors even bother with it.

Your numbers are probably okay.

I say probably, because regular cholesterol tests aren't so useful. You should get your lipoproteins measured (VAP test).

With your decent triglycerides, your LDL particle sizes are probably large, which is the good variety, so you would be at low risk. But without getting a VAP, you don't really know.

A regular cholesterol test just calculates (or guesses) at LDL values. Your HDL looks real good though.

zuuzuu · 05-10-2009, 01:42 PM

Thanks for your responses. I was right, as usual, haha. So no need to overreact

But I may ask for that VAP, since things will be easier to control before they're out of control. I'm sure getting older is affecting these numbers somewhat because my diet hasn't significantly changed. Kinda bugs me though because I eat *very* little meat and virtually no red meat, and try to have a fairly healthy diet overall.

My last LDL? I think was 101; but of course that was the same type of test, not a VAP.

Anyway, thanks again! Will spend some time around here seeing what I can learn.

Lulubells · 06-11-2009, 03:00 PM

My doctor is happy with mine at 228 and my daughters doctor is happy with hers in the 200's range too.. At cholesterol of only 208, for ME, the benifits would not outweigh the risks of taking a statin drug.

I bet with some tweaking of your diet, you could get it down more if you believe in the one number fits all stuff..