PLEASE will members use the FULL term ... - Cholesterol Support
PLEASE will members use the FULL term re medical issues. ie what is HDL etc. ? I want to know about cholesterol levels, good and bad.
Hello,
Below is from Google search, too much to copy and paste. Please do Google to get more understanding.
It's important to keep your cholesterol levels within healthy limits. If you have other risk factors for developing heart disease, you need to be even more careful — especially with your low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad," cholesterol level.
Interpreting your cholesterol numbers:
Cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams (mg) of cholesterol per deciliter (dL) of blood in the United States and some other countries. Canada and most European countries measure cholesterol in millimoles (mmol) per liter (L) of blood. Consider these general guidelines when you get your cholesterol test (lipid panel or lipid profile) results to see if your cholesterol falls in an ideal range.
Total cholesterol
(U.S. and some other countries)
Below 200 mg/dL Desirable
200-239 mg/dL Borderline high
240 mg/dL and above High
Total cholesterol
(Canada and most of Europe)
Below 5.2 mmol/L Desirable
5.2-6.2 mmol/L Borderline high
Above 6.2 mmol/L High
You need to look at full medical condition, blood sugar and blood cholesterol to get a better understanding.
In UK there is NHS Health check which is free and this health check is a starting point!
Frustrating isn't it - until you get used to it. As I understand it, in simple layman's language:
In UK, when blood is taken to check your cholesterol levels, you get to know the Total Cholesterol (i.e. TC) levels. Experts' views change over the years as to how high is "normal and safe" is but , at the moment, they believe this should be under 5mmol/L.
The cholesterol that your body makes and, through your blood, is delivered to every cell in your body is called High Density Lipoprotein (or HDL) and the aim is to have a high level of this in your TC. Preferably over 1.3mmol/L.
The "used up" cholesterol; that your body no longer needs is called Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) and this is collected in your blood and eliminated through your body waste. The aim is to keep the levels of this under 3mmol/L.
So, to sum up, all blood samples contain both the "good" and the "bad" cholesterol so the total amount in your blood sample is an indication of your safe/borderline/dangerous risk of heart disease. If your body has too much LDL, this can lead to heart attacks and strokes so the aim is to higher your HDL levels and lower your LDL. In a normal person this can be achieved by the types of food taken into the body (high saturated fats will increase these levels) and the amount of exercise taken (which helps to higher the HDL levels). For people with an inherited faulty gene (known as Familial Hypercholesterolaemia - or FH for short) their bodies will need extra help from medication to keep the ratio of LDL and HDL at a healthy level.
I hope that makes it simpler to understand tommywills.
Once again we come up against "old school" - I am in full agreement that knowledge is king here. We must understand our bodies but we must also understand the underlying causes of our illhealth. Now that the attitude towards fats is shifting and carbs (ie sugars) are now seen as the enemy the old rules no longer apply. A change in diet, exercise and medication must be the watchword here. To understand the role that cholesterol plays in the healing processes of our body please go to all and any sites on the net. You will find all sorts of pros and cons and in the main confusion! It is only down to you and your GP and Cardiologist, if you have one, who can advise and suggest and you who can make the ultimate decision as to what you do. Arm yourself with as much information as you can. Use any search engine to find out how cholesterol works in the body and with this knowledge under your belt you can discuss with your doctors your future health regime. Best Wishes.
Many many thanks. You have explained it so clearly. I see I have another explanation also which I haven't as yet read, but which I shortly be doing.
I don't understand when I have my annual check up, why, when my cholesterol level is around 3.5 it is treated as good. I have only ever been given the one reading. After a mini stroke, I had carotid (?) arteries scanned and also a brain scan which were both thankfully clear. On asking the doctor about this, I was then told that I had more bad than good cholesterol when I had the last blood test. I am now paying far more heed to my diet etc. Thank you again , so very much.
Many thanks for your kind explanation. I have had a few replies, all of which were beneficial to my knowledge of cholesterol. You would maybe care to read them. Once again, my grateful thanks for taking the trouble to explain. I shall print off the replies for reference.
Hi,
Thanks for your response. Your cholesterol was 3.5, a mini stroke and CAROTID!, I AM CONFUSED.
Please write down all the question you want to ask your GP and also write down all the answers.
Total cholesterol
HDL
LDL
TC
Ratio
BP
Blood sugar
You have not given your age or sex or which area you live or your medical condition.?
The big question is why mini stroke with low cholesterol? Your GP or specialist needs to give you full explanation.
Looking forward to your answers.
Hi Bala
I'm not confused, it simply proves that cholesterol doesn't cause CVD or strokes, well that's my opinion and I'm glad someone posted that even with a low reading of 3.5 they still suffered a mini stroke etc.
Makes you think doesn't it? It does me
Hi,
Cholesterol? low or high, CVD is there, yes, it makes me think. I was looking for comments from the other members of the team and the person who asked the question. What I like to know is what other factors gave this or her medical condition. My cholesterol did go down to 2.8 with statin, I am no longer taking statin!!
suggest you get a print out from your doc on what all your levels are of whatever,then go through them at your own leisure.
Thank you once more. My medications have been adjusted and I am on track to lower my "bad" cholesterol. I am seeing my doctor to have these levels checked again, so I am hoping to have a good report.The carotid arteries were clear when scanned, as was the brain scan. I am 82 years old, live in Lancashire and am female.
