Cholesterol

[imayid2]

Got my routine bloodwork back and was dismayed to see a +40 spike in my “bad cholesterol” numbers (last checked about 6 years ago) and my good cholesterol numbers being on the low side.

Doc isn’t concerned and says my numbers are normal. But I do want to stay ahead of the game.

Not looking to upend my life over this, but if anyone has some simple tips to improve cholesterol numbers please share.

[aygart]

Got my routine bloodwork back and was dismayed to see a +40 spike in my “bad cholesterol” numbers (last checked about 6 years ago) and my good cholesterol numbers being on the low side.

Doc isn’t concerned and says my numbers are normal. But I do want to stay ahead of the game.

Not looking to upend my life over this, but if anyone has some simple tips to improve cholesterol numbers please share.

When did you take the test

[imayid2]

When did you take the test

A little more than a week ago, I think last Friday in the afternoon. Why?

[madhocker]

Got my routine bloodwork back and was dismayed to see a +40 spike in my “bad cholesterol” numbers (last checked about 6 years ago) and my good cholesterol numbers being on the low side.

Doc isn’t concerned and says my numbers are normal. But I do want to stay ahead of the game.

Not looking to upend my life over this, but if anyone has some simple tips to improve cholesterol numbers please share.

develop healthier eating habits (less carbs fats and sugars) and increase physical excersize. I don't know if you consider that upending your life or not 
 

[moko]

Got my routine bloodwork back and was dismayed to see a +40 spike in my “bad cholesterol” numbers (last checked about 6 years ago) and my good cholesterol numbers being on the low side.

Doc isn’t concerned and says my numbers are normal. But I do want to stay ahead of the game.

Not looking to upend my life over this, but if anyone has some simple tips to improve cholesterol numbers please share.

lots of  low cholesterol protein
egg whites are pure protein
Fish
Poultry

[imayid2]

develop healthier eating habits (less carbs fats and sugars) and increase physical excersize. I don't know if you consider that upending your life or not 

Meaning I’m not interested in going to a nutritionist and following a strict diet. More like I’m trying to understand which specific types of foods to cut down on. Which  “fats” specifically? Basically all oily food I assume isn’t great in this regard? (In general I don’t think I eat those types of food often but could be I do but don’t realize it.)

[imayid2]

lots of  low cholesterol protein
egg whites are pure protein
Fish
Poultry

These foods are positively beneficial to cholesterol health? Or are they an example of alternative sources of protein which aren’t detrimental?

Meaning if I just stay low in protein would that be the same, or do I specifically want to increase my intake of those foods?

[shmooz]

Try fish oil, many say it helps

[jackofall]

Google The Mediterranean Diet. Doesn't mean you have to only eat these foods. Just be aware which foods are good for you and which arent.

 

[Alexsei]

There's more to it than just "high bad, low good"

What's your Total / HDL and Triglycerides/HDL ratios?
Age, Weight and other risk factors?
What's your lifestyle diet ?

Ask your doc about a calcium score (not paid by insurance)

[HudZ]

I believe high cholesterol can also be hereditary. (And in some cases require medication at a certain age.)

[Alexsei]

I believe high cholesterol can also be hereditary. (And in some cases require medication at a certain age.)

Yes, that's called "familial hypercholesterolemia"

[imayid2]

There's more to it than just "high bad, low good"

What's your Total / HDL and Triglycerides/HDL ratios?
Age, Weight and other risk factors?
What's your lifestyle diet ?

Ask your doc about a calcium score (not paid by insurance)

Don’t remember off hand but my overall numbers are good and my risk factors are BH very low. Like I said, I don’t like that I had a big upswing and want to start factoring this in a bit.

[Alexsei]

Don’t remember off hand but my overall numbers are good and my risk factors are BH very low. Like I said, I don’t like that I had a big upswing and want to start factoring this in a bit.

Check your ratios.
Has your a1c also increased?

[imayid2]

Check your ratios.
Has your a1c also increased?

Total cholesterol 192
Triglycerides 119
a1c has decreased

[yuneeq]

I believe high cholesterol can also be hereditary. (And in some cases require medication at a certain age.)

My numbers kept rising, I started eating healthier for months but it barely budged, its also hereditary. Started taking atorvastatin, bh numbers quickly dropped to very healthy levels and no side effects.

[jj1000]

My numbers kept rising, I started eating healthier for months but it barely budged, its also hereditary. Started taking atorvastatin, bh numbers quickly dropped to very healthy levels and no side effects.

So refreshing to read messages like this.

I forget how balanced DDF is compared to the rest of the frum world.

Had a problem, tried natural methods, didn't work, understood the medicine at play and causes of the problem, took medicine.

Meanwhile, half the frum world probably thinks you are a nut and will be killed by doctors.

[Alexsei]

So refreshing to read messages like this.

I forget how balanced DDF is compared to the rest of the frum world.

Had a problem, tried natural methods, didn't work, understood the medicine at play and causes of the problem, took medicine.

Meanwhile, half the frum world probably thinks you are a nut and will be killed by doctors.

Statins work. They almost always work wonders. Very few have noticable side effects, the obvious benefit is  better looking blood workups.
Lifestyle changes can work too, sometimes.

if your overall risk score is low, and you're young any doctor would say trying lifestyle changes is worthwhile, if you're committed. However lifestyle changes have almost no impact if what you have is FH., however the only real way to know is by doing genetic testing.
If your lifestyle changes doesn't have the desired effect  after 6 months you can assume it's hereditary.

In OPs case Dr isn't concerned, so OP doesn't have to worry about statins, however you can ask your first degree relatives to see if you find a pattern.

[Alexsei]

Total cholesterol 192
Triglycerides 119
a1c has decreased

HDL?
And was the LDL calculated or direct? (Most probably calculated)

[etech0]

Meanwhile, half the frum world probably thinks you are a nut and will be killed by doctors.

And the other half is taking shots