OK, so I got the results back from my every 5 years or so blood tests. Last time I had this done (2004) my total cholesterol was 184; in 2000 it was 183, and in 1995 it was 169. Now it's 220. What's changed? I quit smoking. Is this a strong indication that smoking lowers cholesterol or that stopping smoking increases it??
Anyway, the doc said "don't worry about it". I cannot lose 20 pounds. Maybe five, tops, but really don't need to lose any. I don't eat all that poorly. I don't eat fast food (I don't like it) but I am guilty of a bit of Schnitzel and Bratkartoffeln now and then. At home I'm most likely to have a salad for dinner, and my protein sources tend to be fish most often, chicken otherwise. I try to get out on my bike at least three times a week or so as far as exercising goes.
So... why is it my cholesterol is suddenly at 220? I'm tired of looking for info on the web these days because it all seems "sponsored" and takes me to pages where people want to sell me stuff... And no, sorry, no pictures! :-)
Mostly just ranting.... I don't do any of the things that lend themselves to high cholesterol, so I'm kinda irritated, I guess.
I've seen articles that suggest levels increase with age regardless of healthy eating habits, exercise, or medication. Other than that, maybe you should wait a few months and re-do the test. The results are sometimes skewed because of various causes (illness, not fasting long enough, etc.). Of course I'm no doctor, so...
Interesting stuff, Ray. So far, I think the only culprit in my diet is real butter, though I don't come anywhere near the "serving" of a tablespoon at any given time, I don't think. I cook with olive oil; I drink soy milk instead of regular milk; I hate cheese. I eat multi or whole grain breads and pastas. I do need more fruits and veggies - I'm working on that.
I think the real culprit, though, is something I cannot fix, and that is age.
that was an interesting read. Seasonal changes and recurring stress? Curious....
Do you have a family history that you need to worry about? If not, I'd be tempted to not worry about it and get re-checked in a bit. (not a long bit, but in a bit)
Was it a fasting cholesterol and then what's the LDL and HDL? That is FAR more important than a random total cholesterol #. The latter could be affected by what you had for lunch before you had your blood drawn (primarily through triglycerides which are in the equation).
Fasting for 12 hours prior. LDL is 129.8, HDL is 75; triglyceride is 76. From the sheet I have, it says LDL is borderline high, HDL is desirable, and triglycerides is normal.
Fasting for 12 hours prior. LDL is 129.8, HDL is 75; triglyceride is 76. From the sheet I have, it says LDL is borderline high, HDL is desirable, and triglycerides is normal.
Girl! I'd be soooo happy with those numbers. Oh and big congrats on quitting smoking!!! My total is 186. And my LDL is 119. But my HDL is 21, and that's where the big trouble is. It's really a ratio thing from what my doctors are always telling me.
In my mildly educated opinion Deb, you got great numbers. Your LDL:HDL ratio is <2:1 which is pretty amazing. An HDL >60 is actually protective and lets you cross off one risk factor when assessing your risk. I got suck genetics and my HDL is only 32 so my ratio is usually closer to 4:1.
That being said, we all need to keep on the horse of diet and exercise, right? :) And keep away from those death sticks.
So don't worry about it. Worry can increase the count. Drink your red wine, or concord grape juice if you're a teetotaler, and eat some oatmeal for breakfast. Oh, and very important, avoid all "partially hydrogenated oils". They are a double whammy -- increase LDL and lower HDL.
So as long as the HDL number is good (ie I think that's the "good" cholesterol) I should not worry that the overall number has jumped significantly in the last five years, or that it is now in the "high" range?
...
I think the real culprit, though, is something I cannot fix, and that is age.
This is funny. Last summer, my husband (age 84), said to a doctor, "I have a condition I'm worried about". The doctor asked him what it was, and Larry said "I'm a year older than I was last summer".
So as long as the HDL number is good (ie I think that's the "good" cholesterol) I should not worry that the overall number has jumped significantly in the last five years, or that it is now in the "high" range?
Yes, your ratio of HDL to LDL is far more important than your total cholesterol.
So as long as the HDL number is good (ie I think that's the "good" cholesterol) I should not worry that the overall number has jumped significantly in the last five years, or that it is now in the "high" range?
Yes, your ratio of HDL to LDL is far more important than your total cholesterol.
Originally posted by Melethia:
Cool. Then I shan't worry about it much. :-)
No offense to all parties concerned, but it is quite amusing that a recently retired woman whose cholesterol has increased due in part to increasing age is accepting medical advice about the presumably aging-related cholesterol increase from a pediatrician. [Not that I am saying Dr Achoo is wrong, he is a smart fellow -- I am just intrigued by the concept.]
Pediatricians are first trained in general medicine, then get several extra years of training in care of the young, which includes through the adolescent years. Additionally, many pediatricians practice "family medicine" and are well-qualified to care for older people as well as kids.
Specialization doesn't (necessarily) erase one's store of general knowledge.
Knowledge is never limited just because your job doesn't require the knowledge. I'm not a Dr. at all, just temporarily when transporting patients to hospitals. But regardless, all people are entitled to know how to take care of themselves. Pediatrician or whatever. I am an expert at prevention of diseases, but of course, not so much the cure. I advise Raw Garlic cloves, at least 3-5 cloves a day. If you can tolerate the discomfort from eating raw garlic then your reward is good health. I'm telling you, I don't need to even wear deoderant anymore, sounds scary yea, eating garlic, no deoderant, look out! but trust me, its the ultimate food.
Certainly much better that Melethia get her medical advice from a Pediatrician, especially one as excellent as DrAchoo, then from a bunch of photographers. Oh, wait, she is doing that as well. :-)
Relevant to this issue is heavyj's recent episode of becoming short of breath, leading to his request for medical advice from DPC photographers, and Spazmo99's comment about all that:
DPC Member: AHHHHGHHHH My Chest!!!!!!
Friend (pulling out cell phone): I'm calling 911.
DPC Member: NO! NO! NO! Just post something in the DPC forums...
Another remedy is go vegetarian. I haven't eaten meat in a few years now because I had high blood pressure. Rarely do I eat poultry, maybe on Thanksgiving only. If you have high Cholesterol, check your blood pressure, if its high and your cholesterol is high, then no good. So Garlic + Veggies = Good Health. And don't forget the Green Tea!
Yes, I do realize asking a bunch of photographers is an interesting approach, but as I noted earlier, web searches these days more often than not turn up advertised products rather than information. I figured one or two here might have beeter links (Ray did) or first-hand knowledge (Jason did); and the rest might be amusing if nothing else. :-) Oh, and the blood pressure is 93/63. Now who was it who called me "old"?....
Another remedy is go vegetarian. I haven't eaten meat in a few years now because I had high blood pressure. Rarely do I eat poultry, maybe on Thanksgiving only. If you have high Cholesterol, check your blood pressure, if its high and your cholesterol is high, then no good. So Garlic + Veggies = Good Health. And don't forget the Green Tea!
Just remember that your solution doesn't always work for everyone.
An awful lot of people do NOT like to be around people who consume large quantities of garlic as they find it MOST unpleasant.
I love the stuff, but my wife and daughter do not like its secondary effects.
I will say that we haven't had a vampire sighting in a while, though.....take THAT, ladies!.......8>)
