Posted: 2/11/2012 4:11:23 PM EDT
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2008:
Cholesterol :149 Triglyceride: 87 HDL: 44 LDL/Calc: 88 2010: Cholesterol: 171 Triglyceride: 107 HDL: 46 LDL/Calc: 104 Decent numbers? 31 year old male and I'm 5'10 140 lbs. Started exercising 3 months ago just to stay more active. |
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Your overall cholesterol and triglycerides are pretty low, that's good and far better than most folks.
Not a doctor, but if I recall my studies correctly you should really work on switching those LDL/HDL numbers around though. I seem to recall that HDL concentrations roughly that low were correlated with a much higher risk of arteriosclerosis. I forget whether it was <60mg/dl or lower, but HDL levels particularly low actually seem to increase your risk of stroke and heart attack. LDL seems to be the driver of arteriosclerosis, and HDL seems to actually reduce inflammation of the arterial walls, if I recall. As I mentioned though, your overall triglycerides and cholesterol are pretty good. This is not medical advice, and is worth roughly what you paid for it. 
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yep.....this is all good
eta: ldl should technically be less than 100 (some say under 70 if you are at risk for heart probs) and hdl over 60. so take it for what it's worth. but these numbers are all within "normal" and there is not the slightest need for any alarm, especially considering your BMI and active lifestyle |
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You might think about getting a test where they actually do the particle size test on the LDL. That's what is really important to know about LDL is the particle size rather than just the total LDL number. The small, high density LDL = BAD.
Triglycerides could be lower, HDL should definitely be higher. |
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Decent numbers. Here's something people should know about cholesterol testing-
See how it says "LDL/calc"? That means LDL was not measured directly, but rather calculated based on the other three numbers. That figure is calculated with the "Friedwald equation", which is LDL = TC - HDL - (TG/5) The problem with this is that it's only accurate when triglycerides are within a certain range, between 100 and 400. Outside of that the calculated LDL value is overinflated. Your 2008 numbers are a good example. Your LDL was likely even lower than 88. That's okay though, because LDL is actually two different types of LDL, one of which is bad, and one of which is harmless, and a lipid profile doesn't tell you which is which, it just counts them both together. The main thing I see in those numbers is that your LDL and triglycerides both went up, so I'm guessing you've been eating a lot of carbs. |
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If the last time you have your blood lipids panel taken was 2 years ago you need to have it checked again. Don't wait.
Based on your 2010 numbers your LDL (bad) cholesterol could stand to be lower and your HDL (good) cholesterol needs to be higher. Make sure you get a physical before starting out any exercise program. 31 is pretty young, but you're not exactly a kid, either. |
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A while back, I went for my 5-year physical for the Navy. They did my bloodwork on the first day.
The nurse calls me up that afternoon in a panic and says I should go to the hospital RFN. I'm like, "Holy shit, what's wrong?!" She says my total cholesterol is over a thousand! I said, "Wait, wait, wait, there's no way that's right..."
I'm 5'5" and like 155lb. Turns out, it was just a mistake, but I had to go back for a second test anyhow. I was actually 160-something. Before I went back, my wife was calling me "butterblood." As in, "Hey, butterblood, get me a beer." 
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How do you increase HDL? Exercise? Very slightly, yes. However, typically diet and lifestyle changes are more effective. It's an influence of both biology and environment however, so your heredity may enhance or limit the effects of those changes. No smoking, and only light drinking if you're a drinker (a drink or two a day is correlated to longer, healthier lifespans than abstaining, and I seem to recall that particular lifestyle also seems to be correlated with higher HDL levels). Nuts, olives, fish, and their oils will typically boost HDL levels, hence all the rage for "Omega-3" fatty acids. Be careful however, if you up your fat intake too much, even with good fats, you're going to run the risk of pushing total cholesterol and triglycerides outside of a healthy range. Again, I'm not a doctor, take everything I'm saying with a grain of salt and research it yourself. Also, consult with folks who actually know what they're doing. |
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Quoted:
If the last time you have your blood lipids panel taken was 2 years ago you need to have it checked again. Don't wait. Based on your 2010 numbers your LDL (bad) cholesterol could stand to be lower and your HDL (good) cholesterol needs to be higher. Make sure you get a physical before starting out any exercise program. 31 is pretty young, but you're not exactly a kid, either. I had a physical done last summer. Heart disease does run in the family. Mainly higher blood pressure and cholesterol levels. I would imagine that it's going to do what ever it wants either with a good or bad diet. |
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How do you increase HDL? Exercise? Very slightly, yes. However, typically diet and lifestyle changes are more effective. It's an influence of both biology and environment however, so your heredity may enhance or limit the effects of those changes. No smoking, and only light drinking if you're a drinker (a drink or two a day is correlated to longer, healthier lifespans than abstaining, and I seem to recall that particular lifestyle also seems to be correlated with higher HDL levels). Nuts, olives, fish, and their oils will typically boost HDL levels, hence all the rage for "Omega-3" fatty acids. Be careful however, if you up your fat intake too much, even with good fats, you're going to run the risk of pushing total cholesterol and triglycerides outside of a healthy range. Again, I'm not a doctor, take everything I'm saying with a grain of salt and research it yourself. Also, consult with folks who actually know what they're doing. EAT SARDINES EVERY DAY. DRINK RED WINE 1 GLASS EVERYDAY. EAT CHERIOS with ALMOND MILK FOR BREAKFAST. TAKE METAMUCIL. YOU WILL LIVE FOREVER ALMOST!!!!!!!! 
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How do you increase HDL? Exercise? Fish oil pills. In 09 my cholesterol was very high for someone my age. Went on medicine to help control. Did the diet and exercise thing in 10 and dropped some weight, still had high numbers. Added fish oil in 11. My numbers crashed with the exception of my HDL which was considered just over the high healthy range. Doc said come back in 6 months and retest to see if I could come off the meds. 2 months to go. |
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How do you increase HDL? Exercise? Fish oil pills. In 09 my cholesterol was very high for someone my age. Went on medicine to help control. Did the diet and exercise thing in 10 and dropped some weight, still had high numbers. Added fish oil in 11. My numbers crashed with the exception of my HDL which was considered just over the high healthy range. Doc said come back in 6 months and retest to see if I could come off the meds. 2 months to go. What brand do you take for the fish oil pills? |
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How do you increase HDL? Exercise? Fish oil pills. In 09 my cholesterol was very high for someone my age. Went on medicine to help control. Did the diet and exercise thing in 10 and dropped some weight, still had high numbers. Added fish oil in 11. My numbers crashed with the exception of my HDL which was considered just over the high healthy range. Doc said come back in 6 months and retest to see if I could come off the meds. 2 months to go. What brand do you take for the fish oil pills? I'm sure there is some science out there that proves one brand is better than another but all I look for is brands that have a good balance of omega 3 fatty acids(EPA, DHA). It's to long for me to go into it here but there is plenty on the web about what I am talking about. Most better known name brands have this covered. |
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Quoted: Quoted: If the last time you have your blood lipids panel taken was 2 years ago you need to have it checked again. Don't wait. Based on your 2010 numbers your LDL (bad) cholesterol could stand to be lower and your HDL (good) cholesterol needs to be higher. Make sure you get a physical before starting out any exercise program. 31 is pretty young, but you're not exactly a kid, either. I had a physical done last summer. Heart disease does run in the family. Mainly higher blood pressure and cholesterol levels. I would imagine that it's going to do what ever it wants either with a good or bad diet. what are your #'s from last summer? |
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If the last time you have your blood lipids panel taken was 2 years ago you need to have it checked again. Don't wait. Based on your 2010 numbers your LDL (bad) cholesterol could stand to be lower and your HDL (good) cholesterol needs to be higher. Make sure you get a physical before starting out any exercise program. 31 is pretty young, but you're not exactly a kid, either. I had a physical done last summer. Heart disease does run in the family. Mainly higher blood pressure and cholesterol levels. I would imagine that it's going to do what ever it wants either with a good or bad diet. what are your #'s from last summer? My BP is always around 115/60 and give or take a bit. |