The Cholesterol Thread

[Jarid in Cedar]

I have to admit, if I were talking to a bushman about his cholesterol, I would probably laugh a bit and give him a high five.

He would probably laugh as well. Good times!

[PaloAltoCougar]

This might come as a shock to most of you, but I have it on good authority the judgement bar isn't made up of intellects. While I may not do so hot here, you might be surprised how persuasive I might be up there.

Sir, I know you to be quite persuasive; hence my belief that many of us will end up in the netherworld.

[cowboy]

Excellent questions. Treating elevated cholesterol is not as straight forward as say high blood pressure.

What was the specific LDL and HDL?

LDL:189, HDL:37. I was wrong about my triglycerides; they're 243.

HA! Ok, hold on.....

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll start with more fish, some fish oil capsules, and less hamburger. To celebrate my test results, I ate my last order of fried mushrooms at lunch.

[Jarid in Cedar]

LDL:189, HDL:37. I was wrong about my triglycerides; they're 243.



.

So assuming that you have no elevation of blood pressure, diabetes, other rtisk factors, then your goal LDL is 160(I would recommend 140 though). Your goal HDL is 40. The Niacin would get you to your HDL goal. The fish oil an diet may be able to get you to your goal LDL.

[cowboy]

So assuming that you have no elevation of blood pressure, diabetes, other rtisk factors, then your goal LDL is 160(I would recommend 140 though). Your goal HDL is 40. The Niacin would get you to your HDL goal. The fish oil an diet may be able to get you to your goal LDL.

On it. Thanks - the steak's in the mail.

My blood pressure is usually 110/60 or so, although it was 118/82 the other day. I think it was more a function of stress than anything else.

[Joe Public]

I just had my cholesterol checked for the first time. 215 total. Like my bike fitness, I'm chasing PAC here. The good news: my HDL is higher than my triglycerides.

[PaloAltoCougar]

I've upped my intake of eggs (maybe 8 a week), eat a fair amount of beef (I've taken a solemn vow to keep cowboy in business), and eat at least one trough of popcorn weekly. But oatmeal remains my main breakfast staple and I'm still doing the fish oil daily. I've increased my physical activity a little more, running 15 miles or so a week and riding typically 75 miles, although occasionally more (I'm somewhere in Iowa on this year's virtual cross country run/ride). The activity is apparently enough to offset the slight increase in eggs/beef/butter, as this year's blood tests came back as good as they've ever been, including total cholesterol of 167, LDL of 94, HDL of 57 and Triglycerides of 80. I'll have to ride it off tomorrow, but tonight it's a filet followed by Ben & Jerry's New York Super Fudge Chunk.

HIPAA be damned, I'm curious how everyone is doing. Now that Tick has shed some pounds, have his freakishly low numbers changed? Is DDD approaching Kalahari bushman levels? Will cowboy be around in five years to partake of his own inventory? What about the rest of you meat eaters?

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

What age are you supposed to start thinking about this stuff? I don't know, maybe I'm on death's door.

[The_Tick]

I am having blood work done again on the 21st of this month. I will update everyone.

I am up 7 lbs. on the year though. Don't tell anyone.

[OhioBlue]

HIPAA be damned, I'm curious how everyone is doing. Now that Tick has shed some pounds, have his freakishly low numbers changed? Is DDD approaching Kalahari bushman levels? Will cowboy be around in five years to partake of his own inventory? What about the rest of you meat eaters?

This is a good reminder for me, I do a screening that's free for me once a year. Time to sign up for that again. I too am a proud meat eater, with PLENTY of butter, eggs, and other good stuff as you mentioned. I also try to have lots of green leafy things, nuts, olive oil, and whole grains...would say I eat with a mind for health but not restrictive by any stretch. Last year's numbers from about this time: total cholesterol 156, LDL 92, HDL 55, and Triglycerides 47. I'm curious what a year of increased running will do to this year's numbers.

[PaloAltoCougar]

What age are you supposed to start thinking about this stuff? I don't know, maybe I'm on death's door.

I started doing the annual stuff consistently at 50 or so. If you haven't had it done for awhile, I'd go in if only to get some baseline numbers, and let your doc tell you when you should return. It would be interesting to see what differences may have occurred from the time you were of a larger, uh, carriage.

This is a good reminder for me, I do a screening that's free for me once a year. Time to sign up for that again. I too am a proud meat eater, with PLENTY of butter, eggs, and other good stuff as you mentioned. I also try to have lots of green leafy things, nuts, olive oil, and whole grains...would say I eat with a mind for health but not restrictive by any stretch. Last year's numbers from about this time: total cholesterol 156, LDL 92, HDL 55, and Triglycerides 47. I'm curious what a year of increased running will do to this year's numbers.

It sounds like we follow a similar diet. I don't skimp on the butter 'n beef, but I also eat a lot of veggies and fruits (I have a bowl of berries every morning, among other garden delights throughout the day). I don't count calories. I eat until I'm full (and regretfully, sometimes beyond that).

[creekster]

What age are you supposed to start thinking about this stuff? I don't know, maybe I'm on death's door.

I am not very good at getting physicals. I only do it about every other or every third year. As an alternative, however, I donate blood quite regularly. The blood bank offers a secure site for you to keep track of your donations (they offer incentives for regular donations like movie tickets, etc.) and on that personalized site they post your basic blood work information. So I know my cholesterol is 162. Its an easy way to keep track of some basics every 8 weeks or so. And don't worry about remembering to sign up to donate; once you donate you are on their list and they will keep track of you.

There is no question in my mind that exercise/weight control are important factors in improving your blood chemistry. But, as discussed earlier in this thread, I am also convinced that the biggest factor is genetic. I am not athletic, nor good looking nor particularly smart, but I have good blood numbers and generally good health despite my failure to eat how I should, etc. Luck of the draw.

[PaloAltoCougar]

I am not very good at getting physicals. I only do it about every other or every third year. As an alternative, however, I donate blood quite regularly. The blood bank offers a secure site for you to keep track of your donations (they offer incentives for regular donations like movie tickets, etc.) and on that personalized site they post your basic blood work information....

Is this through the Red Cross? I've been a donor for many years and I've never heard of this. Link? BTW, because of our trip last fall I can't donate for a year. Their loss!

[creekster]

Is this through the Red Cross? I've been a donor for many years and I've never heard of this. Link? BTW, because of our trip last fall I can't donate for a year. Their loss!

Blood Centers of the Pacific. Right around the corner from my office. Like you, however, I am banned from donating for a year. Oh well.

http://www.bloodcenters.org/

[cowboy]

My cholesterol still ranges between 200 and 240. My triglycerides are high, HDL low, and LDL way high. I guess I'm a walking heart attack. My grandfather had the same issues. His heart finally gave out when he was 96, so I hope I'm as lucky as he was. I went to the doc in March after a lengthy illness, and he ordered an ekg and stress test based on my blood work and age. I passed with flying colors, and the doc told me during my stress test that I was in better shape than I thought I was. At some point I will probable start taking statins, but I'm trying to hold off as long as possible.