The Cholesterol Thread

[ewth8tr]

I've lost 15 lbs since I had these taken 2 months ago, but mine were pretty bad. I had these taken at a health fair at work, I should probably get in to see a Dr.

Total 191
HDL 23
LDL 117
Triglycerides 259

[The_Tick]

Weighed in at 368 today, clothed but still fat.

Blood Pressure was 124/76. Don't know if that is good or bad, but I assume good.

Did blood work, and I should be getting glucose/cholesterol numbers in the mail in a week or two.

[The_Tick]

Results are in:

Triglycerides - 44 mg/dl
Cholesterol, Total - 148 mg/dl
HDL Cholesterol - 48 mg/dl
LDL-Cholesterol - 91 mg/dl (calc)
CHOL to HDLC Ratio - 3.1 (calc)

Glucose - 86 mg/dl

BMI - 47.2

Blood Pressure - 124/76


Perfectly healthy, just extremely fat.

[smokymountainrain]

Results are in:

Triglycerides - 44 mg/dl
Cholesterol, Total - 148 mg/dl
HDL Cholesterol - 48 mg/dl
LDL-Cholesterol - 91 mg/dl (calc)
CHOL to HDLC Ratio - 3.1 (calc)

Glucose - 86 mg/dl

BMI - 47.2

Blood Pressure - 124/76


Perfectly healthy, just extremely fat.

[LA Ute]

Results are in:

Triglycerides - 44 mg/dl
Cholesterol, Total - 148 mg/dl
HDL Cholesterol - 48 mg/dl
LDL-Cholesterol - 91 mg/dl (calc)
CHOL to HDLC Ratio - 3.1 (calc)

Glucose - 86 mg/dl

BMI - 47.2

Blood Pressure - 124/76

Perfectly healthy, just extremely fat.

Those look like pretty good numbers to me. Good for you.

[Pelado]

Perfectly healthy, just extremely fat.

That's how my labs always come back.

[CardiacCoug]

You know a great test for a lot of people between age 45 and 65 who are wondering about their cholesterol and whether or not to take cholesterol med is a coronary calcium score.

It's a CT scan of the heart to look for coronary artery plaque -- pretty easy and cheap (although not covered by insurance). If you score a ZERO then it's probably OK not to take a cholesterol medicine unless your cholesterol level is really astronomically high. If you have a high score indicating a lot of coronary artery plaque then you probably should take a cholesterol medicine even if your numbers aren't that bad.

Anyway, that's the test I'll do on myself at around age 50 just to decide how concerned I need to be about my cholesterol and heart issues in the future.

[PaloAltoCougar]

You know a great test for a lot of people between age 45 and 65 who are wondering about their cholesterol and whether or not to take cholesterol med is a coronary calcium score.

It's a CT scan of the heart to look for coronary artery plaque -- pretty easy and cheap (although not covered by insurance). If you score a ZERO then it's probably OK not to take a cholesterol medicine unless your cholesterol level is really astronomically high. If you have a high score indicating a lot of coronary artery plaque then you probably should take a cholesterol medicine even if your numbers aren't that bad.

Anyway, that's the test I'll do on myself at around age 50 just to decide how concerned I need to be about my cholesterol and heart issues in the future.

This is interesting. Define "cheap." And how is the test administered? A cardiologist I've been meeting with lately (I'm the one providing the services, however) has suggested I wear a heart monitor to see if the occasional heart flutter I've experienced is a PVC or an AFIB, or at least I think those are the terms. I might as well expand the range of tests I'll get with my next physical.

[creekster]

This is interesting. Define "cheap." And how is the test administered? A cardiologist I've been meeting with lately (I'm the one providing the services, however) has suggested I wear a heart monitor to see if the occasional heart flutter I've experienced is a PVC or an AFIB, or at least I think those are the terms. I might as well expand the range of tests I'll get with my next physical.

Ha. That was my question too. It's like the old joke about how when it comes to providing the farmer's breakfast the chicken is involved but the pig is fully committed. CC's comment is a pithy curiosity to some here but to those in the affected age range it's a rather serious observation. So, CC how do you go about getting one of these?

[Drunk Tank]

Ok, here are my results.

Height 5'10"
Weight 264 fully clothed with shoes on.

TRIGLYCERIDES
Reference Range <150 189 mg/dL

CHOLESTEROL, TOTAL
Reference Range 125-200 165 mg/dL

HDL CHOLESTEROL
Reference Range > OR = 40 37 mg/dL

LDL-CHOLESTEROL
Reference Range <130 90 mg/dL (calc)

CHOL TO HDLC RATIO
Reference Range < OR = 5.0 4.5 (calc)

GLUCOSE
Reference Range 65-99 105 mg/dL

BMI
Reference Range 18.5-24.9 37.9

BLOOD PRESSURE
Reference Range < 120/80 120/84

Not great. I take blood pressure meds (Atenolol and Lisinopril), and Simvistatin for my cholesterol. I am in the worst shape of my life. I have gained close to 20lbs in the last year. I need to get off my fat ass and do something about it. I think part of my problem is I am taking Lexipro for anxiety. I have been on it for a couple years and am currently trying to taper off of it. Its a bitch to quit, but I'm trying. That drug has f'd me over, although it did pretty much get rid of my anxiety issues. Since taking it, I have had no desire or drive to do much, have gained weight and overall I am a mess. I am hoping to be 100% off the Lexipro within the next 30 days.

[CardiacCoug]

This is interesting. Define "cheap." And how is the test administered? A cardiologist I've been meeting with lately (I'm the one providing the services, however) has suggested I wear a heart monitor to see if the occasional heart flutter I've experienced is a PVC or an AFIB, or at least I think those are the terms. I might as well expand the range of tests I'll get with my next physical.

Ha. That was my question too. It's like the old joke about how when it comes to providing the farmer's breakfast the chicken is involved but the pig is fully committed. CC's comment is a pithy curiosity to some here but to those in the affected age range it's a rather serious observation. So, CC how do you go about getting one of these?

Here's the page we put together that explains the test. You can click on the patient handout.

http://intermountainhealthcare.org/hospitals/imed/services/heart-institute/heart-health-a-z/Pages/treatment-calcium-score.aspx

I think the charge is somewhere in the $200-$250 range.

Looks like at the Gateway Mall you can get the same scan for $349.

http://www.accuscanutah.com/Heart-Scan.html

I'm sure in the bay area you can just google Coronary Calcium Score and find a place to schedule one pretty easily. If you have zero calcium (in your 50s or older especially) then you don't have coronary plaque and probably don't have to take a statin medication.

PAC as far as wearing a monitor goes, we order a ton of those and in a healthy guy like you they are almost always normal, just showing benign skipped beats. Might not be a bad idea just to be sure though. Atrial fibrillation is nice to know about because it puts you at risk for stroke and a blood thinner is often recommended.

[PaloAltoCougar]

Here's the page we put together that explains the test. You can click on the patient handout.

http://intermountainhealthcare.org/hospitals/imed/services/heart-institute/heart-health-a-z/Pages/treatment-calcium-score.aspx

I think the charge is somewhere in the $200-$250 range.

Looks like at the Gateway Mall you can get the same scan for $349.

http://www.accuscanutah.com/Heart-Scan.html

I'm sure in the bay area you can just google Coronary Calcium Score and find a place to schedule one pretty easily. If you have zero calcium (in your 50s or older especially) then you don't have coronary plaque and probably don't have to take a statin medication.

PAC as far as wearing a monitor goes, we order a ton of those and in a healthy guy like you they are almost always normal, just showing benign skipped beats. Might not be a bad idea just to be sure though. Atrial fibrillation is nice to know about because it puts you at risk for stroke and a blood thinner is often recommended.

Very helpful information, CC, thanks. I'll look into this.