Cholesterol - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

09/09/2009 12:45:26 PM · #1

OK, so I got the results back from my every 5 years or so blood tests. Last time I had this done (2004) my total cholesterol was 184; in 2000 it was 183, and in 1995 it was 169. Now it's 220. What's changed? I quit smoking. Is this a strong indication that smoking lowers cholesterol or that stopping smoking increases it??

Anyway, the doc said "don't worry about it". I cannot lose 20 pounds. Maybe five, tops, but really don't need to lose any. I don't eat all that poorly. I don't eat fast food (I don't like it) but I am guilty of a bit of Schnitzel and Bratkartoffeln now and then. At home I'm most likely to have a salad for dinner, and my protein sources tend to be fish most often, chicken otherwise. I try to get out on my bike at least three times a week or so as far as exercising goes.

So... why is it my cholesterol is suddenly at 220? I'm tired of looking for info on the web these days because it all seems "sponsored" and takes me to pages where people want to sell me stuff... And no, sorry, no pictures! :-)

Mostly just ranting.... I don't do any of the things that lend themselves to high cholesterol, so I'm kinda irritated, I guess.

Kelli

Canon EOS-D60

09/09/2009 12:53:40 PM · #2

I've seen articles that suggest levels increase with age regardless of healthy eating habits, exercise, or medication. Other than that, maybe you should wait a few months and re-do the test. The results are sometimes skewed because of various causes (illness, not fasting long enough, etc.). Of course I'm no doctor, so...

NikonJeb

Nikon D850

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

09/09/2009 01:58:11 PM · #3

I believe that it's age related as mine used to be no issue at all, but once I started to slow down with age, it crept up.

Losing a bunch of weight helped (NOT like you can do that!) and I do take a low-level med for it and now I have no problems.

I did change my diet, too.

RayEthier

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

09/09/2009 02:18:26 PM · #4

You might want to read this...Cholesterol ... causes

Ray

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

09/09/2009 02:27:56 PM · #5

Interesting stuff, Ray. So far, I think the only culprit in my diet is real butter, though I don't come anywhere near the "serving" of a tablespoon at any given time, I don't think. I cook with olive oil; I drink soy milk instead of regular milk; I hate cheese. I eat multi or whole grain breads and pastas. I do need more fruits and veggies - I'm working on that.

I think the real culprit, though, is something I cannot fix, and that is age.

vawendy

Sony Alpha 1

09/09/2009 02:35:35 PM · #6

that was an interesting read. Seasonal changes and recurring stress? Curious....

Do you have a family history that you need to worry about? If not, I'd be tempted to not worry about it and get re-checked in a bit. (not a long bit, but in a bit)

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

09/09/2009 02:36:22 PM · #7

Was it a fasting cholesterol and then what's the LDL and HDL? That is FAR more important than a random total cholesterol #. The latter could be affected by what you had for lunch before you had your blood drawn (primarily through triglycerides which are in the equation).

cowboy221977

Canon EOS-60D

09/09/2009 02:38:38 PM · #8

They do have some drugs that can be prescribed to help lower cholesterol....It sounds like you take care of yourself well..

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

09/09/2009 02:39:43 PM · #9

Fasting for 12 hours prior. LDL is 129.8, HDL is 75; triglyceride is 76. From the sheet I have, it says LDL is borderline high, HDL is desirable, and triglycerides is normal.

Kelli

Canon EOS-D60

09/09/2009 02:43:23 PM · #10

Originally posted by Melethia:

Fasting for 12 hours prior. LDL is 129.8, HDL is 75; triglyceride is 76. From the sheet I have, it says LDL is borderline high, HDL is desirable, and triglycerides is normal.

Girl! I'd be soooo happy with those numbers. Oh and big congrats on quitting smoking!!! My total is 186. And my LDL is 119. But my HDL is 21, and that's where the big trouble is. It's really a ratio thing from what my doctors are always telling me.

09/09/2009 03:35:09 PM · #11

In my mildly educated opinion Deb, you got great numbers. Your LDL:HDL ratio is <2:1 which is pretty amazing. An HDL >60 is actually protective and lets you cross off one risk factor when assessing your risk. I got suck genetics and my HDL is only 32 so my ratio is usually closer to 4:1.

That being said, we all need to keep on the horse of diet and exercise, right? :) And keep away from those death sticks.

JuliBoc

Apple iPhone 6s+

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

09/09/2009 04:02:20 PM · #12

So don't worry about it. Worry can increase the count. Drink your red wine, or concord grape juice if you're a teetotaler, and eat some oatmeal for breakfast. Oh, and very important, avoid all "partially hydrogenated oils". They are a double whammy -- increase LDL and lower HDL.

09/09/2009 04:04:15 PM · #13

So as long as the HDL number is good (ie I think that's the "good" cholesterol) I should not worry that the overall number has jumped significantly in the last five years, or that it is now in the "high" range?

JuliBoc

Apple iPhone 6s+

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

09/09/2009 04:08:02 PM · #14

Originally posted by Melethia:

...
I think the real culprit, though, is something I cannot fix, and that is age.

This is funny. Last summer, my husband (age 84), said to a doctor, "I have a condition I'm worried about". The doctor asked him what it was, and Larry said "I'm a year older than I was last summer".

Message edited by author 2009-09-09 16:08:32.

09/09/2009 04:13:52 PM · #15

Originally posted by Melethia:

Yes, your ratio of HDL to LDL is far more important than your total cholesterol.

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

09/09/2009 04:48:27 PM · #16

Cool. Then I shan't worry about it much. :-)

ErikV

Nikon D7000

09/09/2009 05:02:38 PM · #17

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Originally posted by Melethia:
So as long as the HDL number is good (ie I think that's the "good" cholesterol) I should not worry that the overall number has jumped significantly in the last five years, or that it is now in the "high" range?

Yes, your ratio of HDL to LDL is far more important than your total cholesterol.

Originally posted by Melethia:

Cool. Then I shan't worry about it much. :-)

No offense to all parties concerned, but it is quite amusing that a recently retired woman whose cholesterol has increased due in part to increasing age is accepting medical advice about the presumably aging-related cholesterol increase from a pediatrician. [Not that I am saying Dr Achoo is wrong, he is a smart fellow -- I am just intrigued by the concept.]

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

09/09/2009 07:02:22 PM · #18

Pediatricians are first trained in general medicine, then get several extra years of training in care of the young, which includes through the adolescent years. Additionally, many pediatricians practice "family medicine" and are well-qualified to care for older people as well as kids.

Specialization doesn't (necessarily) erase one's store of general knowledge.

Message edited by author 2009-09-09 19:03:37.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR

09/09/2009 07:20:23 PM · #19

Plus some of us have bad cholesterol ourselves so we are "up on these things"... ;)

RulerZigzag

Nikon D750

09/09/2009 07:22:11 PM · #20

Knowledge is never limited just because your job doesn't require the knowledge. I'm not a Dr. at all, just temporarily when transporting patients to hospitals. But regardless, all people are entitled to know how to take care of themselves. Pediatrician or whatever. I am an expert at prevention of diseases, but of course, not so much the cure. I advise Raw Garlic cloves, at least 3-5 cloves a day. If you can tolerate the discomfort from eating raw garlic then your reward is good health. I'm telling you, I don't need to even wear deoderant anymore, sounds scary yea, eating garlic, no deoderant, look out! but trust me, its the ultimate food.

shamrock

Nikon D300

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

09/09/2009 09:22:33 PM · #21

Geez, i wish i had your doc. My cholesterol was 206 this year, and he is threatening meds to lower it. :(

ErikV

Nikon D7000

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

09/09/2009 09:32:34 PM · #22

Certainly much better that

Melethia get her medical advice from a Pediatrician, especially one as excellent as

DrAchoo, then from a bunch of photographers. Oh, wait, she is doing that as well. :-)

Relevant to this issue is

heavyj's recent episode of becoming short of breath, leading to his request for medical advice from DPC photographers, and

Spazmo99's comment about all that:

DPC Member: AHHHHGHHHH My Chest!!!!!!

Friend (pulling out cell phone): I'm calling 911.

DPC Member: NO! NO! NO! Just post something in the DPC forums...

Friend: ummmm OK...

RulerZigzag

Nikon D750

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR

09/09/2009 10:06:13 PM · #23

Another remedy is go vegetarian. I haven't eaten meat in a few years now because I had high blood pressure. Rarely do I eat poultry, maybe on Thanksgiving only. If you have high Cholesterol, check your blood pressure, if its high and your cholesterol is high, then no good. So Garlic + Veggies = Good Health. And don't forget the Green Tea!