Cholesterol (again)

[emily_in_nc]

Crankin,

I can understand your frustration, but everything I've read lately says that the ratio and the total HDL is much more important than the total number. Some folks (and sounds like you are one of them) can do everything right and still end up with high cholesterol just based on their unique body chemistry, and no matter what you eat, how much you exercise, etc is not going to change that much. I'm no doctor, of course, but I suspect you have nothing to worry about. Hope your doctor agrees!

[OakLeaf]

I agree with Emily. Not a bad idea to talk it over with your doctor, but I wouldn't worry in the interim.

I know you don't eat a lot of carbs, even though you didn't mention that - what I've read lately is that it's carbohydrates, simple carbs especially, that are the biggest dietary driver of "bad" lipids. There's a lot of genetics involved in the totals, and as long as your ratio is so good, I wouldn't worry.

Hang in there.

[Helene2013]

shoots. that is always frustrating and I hear you on this as we do have cholesterol hubby and I but we are now in the upper normal range with changes we brought to our lives. But what our doctor ordered was a blood test (it is not automatic in my province anyway) to check how much fat is "attached" to your arteries. That is the newer test they do for those at risk. And our results were perfect. She was not worried about our numbers any longer but we still have to watch so keep the numbers there.

[Crankin]

Oak, I am not so rigorous on my carbs now, but it's probably 80-90% or more complex carbs when I do have them. The only time I have white anything (bread especially) is in a restaurant. When I stopped the Paleo I went back to eating the way I had for years, except now I eat no red meat.
I am going to ask about more specific blood work and maybe a consult with DH's cardiologist.

ETA: Got an appt. next Wednesday

[ny biker]

I agree that the ratio and high HDL are good signs, from what I've read. I hope things go well with the cardiologist.

[Catrin]

Those are both good signs, I've the same thing myself. The only way that I seem to be able to have enough good HDL is to have higher LDL.

Good luck with the consult and keep us posted!

[emily_in_nc]

Also, triglycerides are important. If yours are low, that's a good sign.

No matter what I do re. diet and exercise, I always have amazing cholesterol (so far): high HDL, low LDL, low overall, and low triglycerides. And my 81 year old mother does as well, so that's where I think genetics makes a big difference, especially since my mother eats a low-carb, meat-intensive diet, and I eat a low-meat, high complex carb, Mediterranean-style (but not exactly) diet. And she exercises almost not at all!

In this particular case, I think I won the genetic lottery.