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Cholesterol vent
I just got my results back, this is a 6-month follow up to an Oct test where I was high, which was a 6-month follow up to a last April test where I was high. So here are my stats:
April 2012:
Total cholesterol - 244
HDL (good) - 66
LDL (bad) - 158
Triglycerides - 98
Weight - 227
October 2011:
Total cholesterol - 243
HDL (good) - 55
LDL (bad) - 164
Triglycerides - 118
Weight - 253
April 2011:
Total cholesterol - 246
HDL (good) - 59
LDL (bad) - 152
Triglycerides - 173
Weight - 294
So, whee for getting my triglycerides down. I think I deserve a cookie! But my LDL is still out of whack, as well as whatever else the "other" is that factors in to total cholesterol. WebMD only says ?Your total blood cholesterol is a measure of LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and other lipid components." Helpful.
The doc doesn't want to medicate me as she's seen improvement and knows that I've lost weight and have increased exercise. But, GAH, I am frustrated it's not improved.
Re: Cholesterol vent
That's a bummer. And really, that's what I'm up against too. My mom and grandma have high cholesterol and are on meds. My mom's diet is crap and she has a number of other chronic conditions. My grandma eats right and is generally healthy. So, I lose.
But I still am obese. And I still have a long way to go. I'm looking on the bright side that I'm glad I have a doc who sees and appreciates my progress.
It appears that you're making good progress so if I were you I'd be happy with that
Don't worry about the total count that much. There are more important things to keep an eye on and the current standard of care and mainstream sources like webMD aren't really using newer information. If it's heart disease risk you're worried about, fasting blood glucose is a great predictor; possibly more important than any lipid number. If you're not already doing it, controlling carbohydrate intake can positively impact triglyceride and HDL numbers.
There are tons of resources available online if you don't mind doing some reading.
This is a good overview... a quickie: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/how-to-interpret-cholesterol-test-results/#axzz1t6Ep1ywJ
The same site has a more extensive overview of cholesterol, including the issue of having elevated cholesterol in your family: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/cholesterol/#axzz1t6Ep1ywJ
This guy is really knowledgeable on the topic - there are a few podcasts linked there worth a listen to (Cholesterol 101 and the ones with Chris Kresser): http://blog.cholesterol-and-health.com/ and then there's the site http://www.cholesterol-and-health.com/
This book is coming up on my reading list: http://www.amazon.com/Ignore-Awkward-Cholesterol-Myths-Alive/dp/1453759409/ref=pd_sim_b_5
GL!
I second this (though I haven't read all the links)! I'm glad your doctor is hesitant to medicate you, I wish more doctors would talk about lifestyle changes before prescribing pills. My uncle had a heart attack a few years ago and his doctor was really pushing the medication, going so far as to claim that "you can't do much with diet". However my uncle decided instead to carefully monitor his diet and eat very healthily - he's lost a lot of weight and has been healthy since, so I guess that doctor was wrong. Anyway, congrats on losing nearly 70 lbs in the last year, it looks like you're on the right track.
Its been a few years since I did the research but at the time the consensus was that there was zero evidence to support a claim that statins were helpful to women and plenty of evidence that they actually have the potential to be quite harmful. The only people who benefit from statins are older men who have experienced at least one cardiovascular event.
i just saw it's "generic." I think I was on my phone, and it's actually genetic.