What to do about Borderline High Cholesterol

[gate_pourri]

Last week I went to a walk in clinic for an ear infection. I mentioned that it had been a couple of years since my last blood test and would it be OK to get a general test. The doctor thought it was a good idea, recommending getting one done at least every other year.

Well, everything came out great, except that my general Cholesterol was at 210 (average 200). My Triglycides were normal. LDL was on the higher side of optimal, but still in optimal. My HDL (Good Cholesterol) was off the charts good (75 - normal is 40-60) - I am pretty sure this is due to my 2 glasses of Red Wine a night habit.

I plan on asking my GP next time I go in, but was wondering if should I be worried about the 210? I am 28, female, normal weight, but could stand to lose 10 pounds (5'10'' - 160). I eat pretty healthy, but LOVE salty foods. Pretty much dislike chocolate/sweets.

Is this something I should start working on reducing? If so, how? I already work out, I walk at least 2 miles almost daily. Eat salads and healthy foods regularly. Love my french fries/chips, but only indulge a few times a week.

Thanks!

 

[golfgal]

Ok, 200 is NOT average, that is the very HIGH limit of normal. At 28 you BET I would be worried about this and be glad you found it early.

Diet is a good place to start. Losing 10 lbs might be a good place to start. Up your walking by a mile each day and see where that takes you. Since, from your post, you show no real indicators of diet caused issues, etc. it's possible this is hereditary and may need to be controlled by medication. My BIL is very healthy, very fit, no extra body fat, on the small side of normal for weight even-looks 30 even though he is 51-10 years ago cholesterol level in the high 400's.

 

[trip]

Was it a fasting blood test? If not, you may want to be retested.

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

If you did not fast before you gave blood, I recommend doing so before you make any major changes.

We have walk in clinics that you can go to here. You decide what day you want to go and fast 12 hours before arriving.

 

[Art 1]

I changed my eating habits and was just checked again after 4 months, mine came way down as well as my sugar.

 

[Binnie]

Take flax seed.

The pills are easier than the actual seeds, but they work really well and won't hurt you if there's really not a problem.

 

[disny_luvr]

OP - I could have actually written this post but I'm not 5'10" nor do I weigh 160 lbs. I'm more like 5'5" and weigh about 145 lbs. I'm also 31. My cholesterol is high, but my triglycides are normal and my good cholesterol is really high, like off the charts high too. Unfortunately, I've inherited this from my mom and her dad and so on. My one sister is also like me. I get blood work about every six months; my family doctor doesn't really want to put me on medicine because of my age, but he likes to monitor it regularly. If he'd see it continue to increase he'd put me on meds ASAP. I've changed my diet and feel that I work out pretty regularly - walk, Zumba, chase after my kids, but I haven't seen a real decrease in my bad cholesterol. I'd monitor it, check with your family doctor, change your diet and exercise. Good luck to you. Let me know if you figure out something that works for you other than the things I have already mentioned.

 

[DisneyLoverUSA]

You can increase your consumption of dry beans and you can take Red Rice Yeast. It is a natural cholesterol reducer. You can get it at most health food/vitamin stores or off the internet Drugstore.com or something similar.

 

[Abbie]

Golfgal is right, 200 is the high end of normal. Your numbers aren't terrible and the total cholesterol is tempered by the good cholesterol so that's a good thing. You are right to pay attention to it, especially considering your age. Watch your diet, keep active. It might be a good idea to add 2-3 fish oil pills to your diet, take them at night since cholesterol is manufactured at night. This alone is often enough to lower your numbers so you don't need to go on a statin.

 

[dandave]

OP, your good cholesterol is so high, that you have absolutely nothing to worry about. That high HDL (good) is bumping your total number up. Your HDL could be far lower, and that would give a false impression of a better total. The total means far less than the numbers in the components. Keep doing what you're doing.

 

[dandave]

Here's a link that may help explain further:
http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/guide/understanding-numbers

 

[arminnie]

OP, your good cholesterol is so high, that you have absolutely nothing to worry about. That high HDL (good) is bumping your total number up. Your HDL could be far lower, and that would give a false impression of a better total. The total means far less than the numbers in the components. Keep doing what you're doing.

I agree. I am much, much older (65) and have virtually the same numbers. My doctors all have said that the high HDL (which is a very good thing) explains why my total is slightly over 200. The total number is pretty meaningless when the HDL is so high and the LDL is very low.

 

[tvguy]

I started eating oat bran for breakfast 5 days a week. I can't find my original lab results, but I want to say it dropped by cholesterol by about 40 points. My doctor was impressed.
I also gave up ice cream....well, I have it may once a month, and I stopped drinking milk, switching to Almond milk. There is so little cholesterol in the non-fat milk we buy that probably didn't do anything, but I like discovered I like the thicker, creamier texture of the Almond milk.

 

[mickeysgal]

I agree. I am much, much older (65) and have virtually the same numbers. My doctors all have said that the high HDL (which is a very good thing) explains why my total is slightly over 200. The total number is pretty meaningless when the HDL is so high and the LDL is very low.

I'm in the same boat. High HDL, low LDL, fantastic TRI. I actually went to a cardiologist for a baseline checkup/testing and he was concerned with the overall ratio. Once he saw the ratio, he was fine with my actual numbers. That said, he did encourage me to each less processed foods, exercise more etc. I'm now about 12 lbs lighter and in a running exercise program. Haven't had it checked since. I take fish oil, flaxseed oil, krill oil, CoQ10, grapeseed. Have been wanting to try red yeast rice, but don't know enough about it. My brother was on Lipitor for way too many years at way too young of an age...now he has muscle pain from taking it and can no longer take it. Much better to get it down under control with diet and exercise if at all possible.

 

[HeatherH]

OP, your good cholesterol is so high, that you have absolutely nothing to worry about. That high HDL (good) is bumping your total number up. Your HDL could be far lower, and that would give a false impression of a better total. The total means far less than the numbers in the components. Keep doing what you're doing.

THIS, exactly! I just had blood testing done, with a 210 total and a 93 on HDL. LDL and triglycerides were EXCELLENT. According to my doctor, and the letter they send with results:

"According to ATP-III guidelines, HDL-C>59 mg/dL is considered a negative factor for CHD."

Which basically means, if your HDL is that high, and everything else is good, you are NOT at risk for coronary heart disease. If you read about HDL, you see that it actually CARRIES plaque away from your heart.

Keep up your good exercise habits, maintain a healthy weight, eat heart healthy foods and you will be FINE. I am a very healthy weight (5'4", 120), workout regularly, eat NO sweets, follow a basically low fat diet with lots of produce and lean proteins. I know that my high HDL is pushing my total number over the "acceptable" level, but I also know the reason why. Talk to your doc, but it sounds like you are on the right track.

 

[rchristiansen]

This happened to me this year - borderline high cholesterol and it made me really mad. But I lowered my cholesterol by 50 points! Here's what I did:

I used Livestrong.com to count my calories religiously and stuck between 1200 and 1500 a day on average. Some days more, but I still tracked it. I ignored it when I went on vacation.

I made sure I ate 20-25 grams of fiber a day.

Cut out high fructose corn syrup.

I replaced a lot of starches with vegetables at dinner

I replaced baked lays potato chips with 1/4 cup of almonds at lunch.

I stepped up the exercise and do at least 30 minutes of cardio 3 times a week - making sure I sweat, not just walking.

I also took Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega fish oil capsules (they have more DHA in them then other fish oil pills you can get on the market)

Within 5 months my cholesterol went down 50 points! And I lost about 6-8 pounds!

 

[npmommie]

Well, everything came out great, except that my general Cholesterol was at 210 (average 200). My Triglycides were normal. LDL was on the higher side of optimal, but still in optimal. My HDL (Good Cholesterol) was off the charts good (75 - normal is 40-60) - I am pretty sure this is due to my 2 glasses of Red Wine a night habit.

I plan on asking my GP next time I go in, but was wondering if should I be worried about the 210? I am 28, female, normal weight, but could stand to lose 10 pounds (5'10'' - 160). I eat pretty healthy, but LOVE salty foods. Pretty much dislike chocolate/sweets.

Is this something I should start working on reducing? If so, how? I already work out, I walk at least 2 miles almost daily. Eat salads and healthy foods regularly. Love my french fries/chips, but only indulge a few times a week.

Thanks!

what was your LDL?

OP, your good cholesterol is so high, that you have absolutely nothing to worry about. That high HDL (good) is bumping your total number up. Your HDL could be far lower, and that would give a false impression of a better total. The total means far less than the numbers in the components. Keep doing what you're doing.

I agree with this.
you have nothing to worry about.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Niacin. Be sure it's the extended release form (Slo-Niacin). DH has had cholesterol problems for over 30 years, as a result of bad genes (DFIL died of a heart attack at 51). Thirty years ago there were no statins available to him, but the doctor had him take niacin. Also, there were certain foods he couldn't eat and he upped his exercise. A cholesterol reading of 381 when you're 30 wakes you up to mortality!

 

[momrek06]

Oh this just happened to me. Went 2/1/11 for my yearly. MD says let's do some bloodwork. I fasted and my cholestrol came back at 220. I was shocked. I work out all the time. I am in great shape. No weight issues. MD said to keep a journal of everything I was eating and come back in 3 months. Well I did just that and because of my intense w/o schedule I was not seeing any issues in the weight 'gain' dept at all. BUT I was over doing it with candy/snacks/chips etc.

I decided to cut it all out. No candy, no salty snacks, no cookies and cakes, no ice cream and stick to a good healthy diet.

Went back to the Lab on 5/1/11 and had a retake and my cholestrol was down 29 points to 191!!!!!

I have continued to stick to my healthy diet and I don't miss all those bad foods and have lost over 10 pounds (which I was not trying to do it just came from cutting out all the crap in my diet). I feel great and I am sure if I was to go for another retake my cholestrol would be even lower.

So, OP, try and keep a journal of what you are a eating. It worked for me!