Confused

[Adarby]

My good cholesterol is 31, my bad is 128 I’m currently taking atrovastatin that gives me severe muscles spasms. Should i be worried bout my good cholesterol is 31?

[sandybrown]

You need to give your full lipid numbers. How is your general health?

What was the reason for blood test?

LIPID numbers can be controlled by diet and regular exercise, a slow process.

You doctor who gave you medication has to offer you full explanation why? you were given the medication.

[Adarby in reply to sandybrown]

My cholesterol was 180, my triglycerides 102... had MRI done on my back for other reasons, found cyst in my kidney so dr wanted ultrasound of my kidney had lipid test done and those are my results.

[sandybrown in reply to Adarby]

Sorry, you are having a lot of health problems.

You need to wait for your discussion with your specialist before attempting to life style change. Cholesterol in human body do play an important part but your kidney problem needs attention first.

Relax, take care, cut down on hidden and free sugar in food intake.

Please take a look at this link which gives USA cholesterol levels guide lines.

mayoclinic.org/tests-proced...

Your total cholesterol is below limits. Other numbers needs to be checked by specialist.

[Adarby in reply to sandybrown]

Thank you for your feedback

[sandybrown in reply to Adarby]

Had a closer look at your numbers, only bad cholesterol need to be addressed!

all the other numbers are well within the range. I am sure your doctor will explain all this to you.

Your numbers.

Good cholesterol HDL 31, less than 40 mg/dL

Bad cholesterol LDL 128 less than 100 mg/dL 100-129 mg/dL acceptable

Total cholesterol 180 less than 200mg/dL

Triglyceride 102 below 150 mg/dL

[Adarby in reply to sandybrown]

Thank you once again

[sos007 Ambassador]

Welcome to our forum.

Please provide more information:

- Age

- gender

- height

- weight

- do you smoke?

- how many alcoholic drinks do you consume per week?

- what is your triglyceride level?

Any diagnosed medical conditions?

In general, if by 'good cholesterol' you are referring to 'HDL' then yes, it is problematic. Medical studies show those with very low HDL are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Click on this link to learn the 9 things you can do to raise your HDL naturally:

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

Statins, like atorvastatin, are prescribed to reduce the so called 'bad cholesterol' - LDL-C.

Lowering LDL-C does not necessarily protect you from CVD. Fully 50% of those who have suffered from a heart attack or stroke had normal LDL-C cholesterol levels. Blood clots are the primary cause of heart attacks and strokes. You can reduce your risk of developing blood clots by reducing your consumption of animal protein and dairy products and increasing your consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables - especially green leafy vegetables such as arugula, kale, and dandelion greens. Consuming broccoli and spinach is also very beneficial. Fish oil supplements with high levels of DHA and EPA will also help.

Statin drugs can have potentially serious side effects, one of which is muscle damage.

Medical studies show that statins are not very effective as a tool of primary prevention. The NNT (number needed to treat) is 104 - that is 104 people have to take statins for 5 years in order to prevent one person from suffering a heart attack. That means 103 people suffered the statins side-effects for no benefit.

acatoday.org/News-Publicati... Archive/ArtMID/5721/ArticleID/106/NNT-for-Statins-vs-the-Mediterranean-Diet

Cholesterol is part of the body's response to an inflammatory state. Inflammation is triggered through a sub-optimal diet and lifestyle. The primary cause of an inflammatory state is the consumption of excess amounts of refined or simple carbohydrates, as well as sugar and its equivalents. A lack of exercise also enhances the inflammatory state.

One of the most important values in your blood test is 'triglycerides'. These are fats in your blood stream produced by your consumption of sugar and refined carbohydrates. Lowering your triglycerides will lower LDL-C and total cholesterol. Read this:

docsopinion.com/2019/03/24/...

Treating elevated cholesterol levels is equivalent to 'shooting the messenger' for delivering bad news. Cholesterol is not the problem, the behaviour that is increasing the body's cholesterol production is.

Adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes daily exercise such as walking for at least 30 minutes per day, and following the Mediterranean Diet (read this - mayoclinic.org/healthy-life... will bring your cholesterol levels down to normal levels.

By the way, LDL-C is not a good indicator of cardiovascular risk, LDL-P (particle number) is.

Get a blood test known as the 'NMR Lipoprofile', which will provide both the LDL-P value as well as other very insightful risk metrics for your cardiovascular system. This test will cost about $100 USD.

In general you should consume a whole-foods (no packaged processed foods), plant-based, diet. This is exactly what the Mediterranean Diet it. This must be a permanent dietary and lifestyle change in order to be effective. Understand that sugar is not a treat, it is toxic to the human body, as are refined carbohydrates.

Watch these:

youtu.be/ZSpB-j5DL9E(Not working as expected?) 13 minutes;

youtu.be/K3ksKkCOgTw(Not working as expected?) 42 minutes;

Good luck.

[superempi]

I would ask for a direct LDL test - normal test estimate your LDL - they assume what isn't HDL or Tri's is LDL and is not always true