cholesterol numbers question

[mtemm]

I had my first cholesterol test and just got the results yesterday. something confuses me...I have the total number, then the breakdown of hdl and ldl. but the hdl and the ldl numbers don't add up to the total number, they are about 15 points short.

is this an error on their part, or am I misunderstanding something?

I double checked my dh's numbers, and his ldl and hdl dont add up to his total, either.

?????

 

[EdiePA]

Total cholesterol is the sum of LDL (low density) cholesterol, HDL (high density) cholesterol, VLDL (very low density) cholesterol, and IDL (intermediate density) cholesterol.

 

[mtemm]

thanks! we didn't get the other numbers, so figured something had to be missing! guessing they don't matter as much?

 

[minkydog]

My doctor doesn't even care about Total Cholesteral. She says LDL, HDL, and triglycerides tells her everything she needs to know. My LDL is very high(150) and my HDL is very low(39). M trigs are 145, down from a whopping 490! Those number are actually IMPROVED. I've been on medication for about 3 months and I"ve recently eliminated all bad carbs(potatoes, rice, pasta, refined sugar and flour.) My cholestral levels are critical and they put me at very high risk for stroke, heart disease, and diabetes. In fact, I was diagnosed pre-diabetic last week. Eek!

 

[mjkacmom]

My doctor doesn't even care about Total Cholesteral. She says LDL, HDL, and triglycerides tells her everything she needs to know. My LDL is very high(150) and my HDL is very low(39). M trigs are 145, down from a whopping 490! Those number are actually IMPROVED. I've been on medication for about 3 months and I"ve recently eliminated all bad carbs(potatoes, rice, pasta, refined sugar and flour.) My cholestral levels are critical and they put me at very high risk for stroke, heart disease, and diabetes. In fact, I was diagnosed pre-diabetic last week. Eek!

Yes, the total numbers don't mean much. Mine were over 200, but my HDL's (good cholesteral) were 151! OP, I believe there are 3 numbers that are added to get to the total (and you want the LDL's and triclyerides to be low, HDL's to be high).

 

[mtemm]

I did get my triglyceride number which was fine, and my vitamin D number (she was very concerned about vitamin d in our appt, my first appt ever with her). her note said it was perfect, which made me very happy! was just confused about why the 2 cholesterol numbers didn't add up to the total. glad to know!

I was really flying blind because I hadn't had a general appt since I was a kid. I go to my gyn yearly, have had my mammogram, go to the dentist, but like a lot of other women I know just seem to have missed this appt. we all made a pact to get off our rears this year and get going (we're all late 30s/early 40s).

 

[mtemm]

wow, minkydog, great job on getting it down so far!!!!! hope things continue to improve