Choloesterol Levels- Can you Explain?

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Dejaboo
Dejaboo Member Posts: 2,916
edited June 2014 in Working on Your Fitness

Got my Choloesterol Levels back this morning.

While most of it looks ok.   I have some questions.

My Overal Cholesterol has gone up.

(all #s dates will be 04, 08 & 09 in order)

In 2004 it was 158, 2008 - was 165 & today 181

My Ratio has gone down

3.36,  2.95  Today -2.87

My HDL has gone up:

47, 56 & today 63

But my LDL has gone up too:

98, 93 & today 109

My Triglycerides were:

65,  82 & today 44

Thats a huge change- But I dont know what this one means...

Someone want to explain all this to me?

Thanks,

Pam

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  • Dejaboo
    Dejaboo Member Posts: 2,916
    edited February 2009

    So I went & research a little.  Here is what I found:

    Total cholesterol level

    • Less than 200 is best.
    • 200 to 239 is borderline high.
    • 240 or more means you're at increased risk for heart disease.

    LDL cholesterol levels

    • Below 100 is ideal for people who have a higher risk of heart disease.
    • 100 to 129 is near optimal.
    • 130 to 159 is borderline high.
    • 160 or more means you're at a higher risk for heart disease.

    HDL cholesterol levels

    • Less than 40 means you're at higher risk for heart disease.
    • 60 or higher greatly reduces your risk of heart disease.
    • ~~~

    Still dont know what the Triglicerides mean.

    Pam

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  • cp418
    cp418 Member Posts: 7,079
    edited February 2009

    http://www.lovaza.com/consumer/understanding/learnabout.html

    http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4778

    http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/triglycerides/CL00015

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  • jdeking
    jdeking Member Posts: 408
    edited February 2009

    Triglycerides are basically fats in the blood, and yours are very low which is good. The higher they are, the more likely plaques can form in your arteries. Also your HDL is fabulous, so if your LDL is a tiny bit high, it is totally counteracted by the good HDL score. LDL's are the naughty little guys that can stick to artery walls, and HDL's "knock" them out of the way. I think your ratio is actually very good, so I would not worry about an overall higher number.

    Exercise and diet are of course the best way to lower LDL, but there is a genetic component as well.

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  • Dejaboo
    Dejaboo Member Posts: 2,916
    edited February 2009

    Thank you for the Links cp418!

    And thank you also jdeking.

    That helps alot!

    Its very interesing (and Good) To see my TriG Dropped from 82 to 44 in  a year!

    ( I am kind of Obsessed over #s- LOL- Ask my Family)

    I have not made much for changes...But plan on continuing to make more good changes.

    My Exercise has increased just a tiny bit...And my level is still very low.   I hope to increase that- I am waiting for my Shortness of Breath to go away & my Energy level to increase (now that I have had my Heart surgery) 

    I have increased my Fiber, Fruits & Veggies- Still need to eat way more fruits & veggies.

    I weigh about 8# less then 1 year ago.

    Pam

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  • Jorf
    Jorf Member Posts: 498
    edited February 2009

    You are very fortunate that your levels have never really been out of range. The weight loss and increase in fiber and F&V (especially if by eating more of those you're eating less of foods containing saturated fats) also help as well as your exercise.

    I'm jealous having been born into a family where, no matter how much I exercise or how well I eat my total and LDL are always above normal even tho my TG is low and my HDL is in the 80's. Thanks, Mom and Dad.

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