Just got tested, cholesterol is 334 HELP!!

[tmptnu2]

I just got some blood work done at a health fair locally and I just got the test results back today. My cholesterol is 334 mg. My LDL is 274 mg. My chloride is low. Anion Gap?? is high. RBC, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit are all high and RDW is low. HELP!!! I am most concerned about the Cholesterol. I am just finding out that it runs in the family. I won't have insurance for 2.5 months so I need to do what I can to lower it on my own till then, any suggestions. Also does anyone know what the other tests mean? If it helps I am a 27 year old white female at 143 lbs. Thank you so much for any help!!!

[zip2play]

tmptnu,

Yeah, those numbers are dreadful. When you get your insurance, first thing you'll want to do is get them re-run (Health Fair results can be so-so.) Though you don't report it, it looks like your HDL is quite low (BAD) on top of a sky-high LDL. Triglycerides are probably low also (GOOD).

So for the next two months, I'd recommend cutting your saturated fat intake (animal fats) as much as possible...and ELIMINATING all trans fats (hydrogenated ANYTHING.) Increase the amount of fish you eat to at least twice a week and add a fish oil supplement (like a tsp. cod liver oil daily.) Increase your excercise.

The next two month period will give you a GOOD idea of what you can accomplish without drugs. If your first physical shows marked improvement in your numbers, then just continue for life.
If the numbers remain wretched you are definitely a candidate for drugs (usually a statin.)

[tmptnu2]

My other results are as follows.
Triglycerides 116
HDLs 56
Risk factor is 6.0

Are my results really really bad? Should I be concerned that something will happen? I have never really had to watch what I eat so I am new to all this. Thank you for your info.

[zip2play]

Yes,
Your results are terrible but only in ONE area; your LDL's are sky high.
The low saturated fat for a couple months will probably help immensely: easy on the butter and cream, ice cream, fatty meats, processed meats like salamis. Eat fish and fowl preferentially over beef and pork as much as practical.

DO eliminate all the hydrogenated oils (like Crisco, Cool Whip, margerines [except the trans fat free canolas and the Benecol stanol-types], and MANY processed foods[read labels for EVERYTHING])). RUN from the word HYDROGENATED.

A couple months like this will lower your LDL's (and fish oils will preserve your HDL's).

Remember now, Some of those Health Fair quicky results are just not trustworthy. But without insurance, make believe the numbers are gospel and the worst that will happen is that you ate healthily for 2 months in vain...may that be our worst curse...LOL.

[tmptnu2]

Thank you so much for all the information. I went to get the test actually to check my Thyroid because I was having symptoms of having a problem there. But they came back o.k. I would have never guessed I had a Cholesterol problem at 27!!!! The thought never even crossed my mind. Thanks again!!