HDL - too high?

I just got my lab report back and my numbers are good...finally after years of Lipitor, diet, and exercise.

My Dr. is using a new lab and they have the optimal range for HDL set at between 40 and 59. I came in at 66 - and I was proud of that number. The nurse told me my 66 was too high. I am confused, I have always heard that the higher the HDL the better. Now they are changing the rule??? Has anybody else heard of this? In case it matters, the rest of my numbers are:

Total Cholesterol 183
Triglycerides 79
HDL 66
LDL 101
ALT 38 (they always test this because of the Lipitor)

Thanks for any feedback. Brenda :

Originally Posted by Brendap

My Dr. is using a new lab and they have the optimal range for HDL set at between 40 and 59. I came in at 66 - and I was proud of that number. The nurse told me my 66 was too high. I am confused, I have always heard that the higher the HDL the better. Now they are changing the rule??? Has anybody else heard of this?

Your lipid profile is stellar. The nurse is confused; the greatest beneficial category is the over 60 mg/dL HDL-C, which you are a part of

In edit: I realized something else thinking about what you posted. Your nurse probably examined the reference range for normal values (40-59 mg/dL). I get flagged everytime my HDL is 60 or higher too (which unfortunately is not as often as I like it to be). That just means that yes, you are outside the norm, but in this case it is a good thing! I *think* (and someone will correct me if I am wrong) that this is the only case that when examining your lipid profiles, an out of range high value is a good thing rather than a problem.

I agree. If anything, the nurse was probably too high!

ALT 38 (they always test this because of the Lipitor)

What is ALT and why check it if your on Lipitor ??

Matt

Me7700,

ALT is a liver enzyme which becomes elevated if any damage is being done to the liver. MANY things will raise the ALT including an infection or a bout with alcoohol but what the doctor is specifically looking for is any liver insult caused by the statin, Lipitor. It should ALWAYS be checked soon after starting any cholesterol lowering drug and then perhaps annually afterwards.