What is normal cholesterol level. Whe... - Cholesterol Support
What is normal cholesterol level. When does it become dangerous to warrant a Medication. Can't life style lower the cholestrol when high?
Hi Oyinemi2012,
OK - to try and answer your questions.
When does your cholesterol become dangerous? Well this depends on what country you are living in. In the UK we consider raised cholesterol to be anything above 5, in France for example they say 6.
However I believe it is far more important to look at the breakdown of your Cholesterol. I would be more worried about somebody with a total of 5.5 with an HDL under 1, then I would somebody at 6 with an HDL over 2.
Yes changes/improvements to lifestyle can significantly reduce total cholesterol - but not necessarily in all cases (people who have FH for example may live like saints and have no improvements to make but could still have raised cholesterol levels according to national figures. You will be able to get loads of good advice on this if it is what you seek.
Medication is a controversial topic - and best left to the individual. I for one would never want to advise someone to not to use statins, but personally would always stay clear and look to rely on healthier living (and for so far - this has been sufficient but my opinion might change should this no longer be the case). I am happy to advise on lifestyle, but to comment on the huge decision of the individual to start or stay off medication.
Hope this is useful,
BetaBalance
Oh and what is the average?
Well trick question. In the UK over 60% of people have raised cholesterol (e.g. above 5) so the average will be high.
BetaBalance
This is a question many would like an honest answer to but the Doctors differ in thoughts. 3/4 is ideal but if it it goes higher and the doctor puts you on medication it is hard to get agreement to stop although some do. A really healthy low fat, low sugar and low salt diet should definitely help you to lower it when high. My sons Practice Nurse told him that a small drink of Activia or similar really helps but only the one as it is expensive and if you have any more it will make no difference. Hope this helps.
What is normal cholesterol level?
Starting point. Blood test and other medical conditions? Age? BMI? TV programme?
If the doctor requested for blood test, the doctor should explain the reason for blood test first.
A week later test results. Again the doctor will be able to explain all four numbers, total ratio, LDL, HDL and triglyceride. I am afraid there is no normal number, it all depends on other medical conditions.
Two options available, life style change or medication.
There are video clips on utube: one clip talks about, no salt, no sugar, no fat, no bread and drink lots of water.
i think with all the information floating about that contradicts current medical trends to how cholesterol is seen to be the bad guy, its hard to truly decide anything . There appears to be no ceiling figure to which beyond that the amount of cholesterol is SOOOO high that the blood is like treacle .. only recommended uk limit and ideal- which isnt the same thing.
Although i dont think i need to worry about Cholesterol as much as my GP makes out, i do think there must be a physical limit to it eg 1000mg - not the magic number that we should all aim for.
In the sence like oil is good for your car, but if you fill the engine to the the top- that isnt good- the engine wont work
What is normal cholesterol level. When does it become dangerous to warrant a Medication. Can't life style lower the cholestrol when high?
There is no normal cholesterol level!
In the UK, the average total cholesterol level is 5.7mmol/l. I am not sure how this vale has been defined.
Then there is ideal level, too high level, very high level and extermely high level. Doctors have to consider other medical conditions before any medication. Cholesterol goes up with age, women cholesterol levels are higher than men.
It also depends on whether you have any other risk factors such as high blood pressure or raised glucose levels.
A bit of a mathematical poser for someone who is bad at maths...how do they know what the average cholesterol level in UK is, shouldn't it be the average is for 10,000 women who had their cholesterol tested, over the age of 50 and so on ! Just define it a bit more.
Hi,
Below information is from NHS web site.
Normal cholesterol level
Blood cholesterol is measured in units called millimoles per litre of blood, often shortened to mmol/L.
The government recommends that total cholesterol levels for healthy adults should be 5mmol/L or less, with levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) being 3mmol/L or less.
Adults at high risk are defined as those with existing heart disease, high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes or those with a family history of early heart disease. Those at high risk should have a total cholesterol level of 4mmol/L or less, with levels of LDL being 2mmol/L or less.
In the UK, two out of three adults have a total cholesterol level of 5mmol/L or above. On average, men in England have a cholesterol level of 5.5mmol/L and women have a level of 5.6mmol/L.
I have just been told my cholesterol is 6.1 got to see the nurse for breakdown is this high
It wasn't that long ago that the NHS thought 7 was OK! There are so many factors that lead to the concerns over "high" cholesterol. What is high? Well, what are your figures? Have you had your total broken down to LDL, HDL and Trigliciride figures? Read up on them. There are excellent websites and this website is amongst one of the best. Get as much info as you can at your fingertips and make some sensible choices that are right for you. Get to know your dietician and see about reducing your weight (if you need to ) stopping smoking (if you need to) and up your exercise. If you have a dog (and they are the best exercise regimes you can get) take him/her out twice a day for an hour or two and you will not only feel fitter but the muscles will get toned, the heart and lungs will thank you and your dog will adore you!
