cholesterol

[lph]

Heya, anyone here knowledgeable about cholesterol and how it's measured?

I've been to my first health check-up in 3 years, and among other things measured my cholesterol levels. I was told that my results were all "fine", but I'm the only one in a family of four who doesn't have serious heart disease and am just a leetle bit obsessed about having really really good results, not just "fine"

Anyway. My level of HDL-cholesterol ("good cholesterol") is 2.2 mmol/l, up from 2.0. This should preferably be above 1.0 so this is good.

My "total cholesterol" levels however were 5.4, up from 4.4 3 years ago. Apparently this should preferably be lower than 5. Not so good.

But if I've done my homework, total cholesterol = HDL + LDL + triglyserids - where LDL is the "bad guy" and should preferably be below 3.

What's the point of having total cholesterol levels below 5, if you have high levels of LDL/above 3 anyway?
Conversely, why not have "total" levels above 5, if a large proportion is HDL, like I do?

Why is there a recommendation connected to total levels at all, when it seems to be just LDL-cholesterol you want to avoid Should I be trying to lower my total cholesterol a little or not? I'd appreciate any feedback anyone might have!