My overall cholersterol is very good at 125. My LDL is 82, my VLDL is 11 and my HDL is 32. My doctor said that my HDL is low (32). He wants to put me on Niaspan to bring the HDL up. My triglycerides are 59. Currently, I am 52 years old and don't take any medications. I don't want to go on drugs if I don't have to. What are your thoughts? Do I still have a high risk because of the low HDL even though my overall total is very good?
Article CHOLESTEROL TESTS: SORTING OUT THE LIPIDS Mayoclinic.com confirms : "about half the people who have a heart attack or stroke each year have normal cholesterol levels."
HALF the patients had normal chol. levels??
That means out of say 2000 patients who suffered these situations, and probably lost their lives, app 1000 had abnormal/high cholesterol levels and app 1000 had normal /desirable chol. levels.. Then, people with normal chol. levels are equally prone to these attacks, no difference?? This seems to be the fact.. A person like myself (type 2 diabetic) tries so hard to get total cholesterol number down, but this medical fact confuses me as to whether the low total chol. number /low risk motto has any value or meaning.. So many people are thinking, my cholesterol number is low, this means I am fine.. Are they let to deceive themselves?
Secrets of how to raise hdl cholesterol without medications.
• 1. Practice some light exercise
• 2. Keep your weight normal
• 3. Avoid eating saturated fats,
• 4. Eat at least 2 servings of foods containing soluble fibers daily
• 5. Beware that refined carbohydrates
• 6. You should know that eating ½ raw onion daily
• 7. Avoid drinking alcohol.
• 8. Stop smoking cigarettes
• 9. Use niacin supplements
• 10. Eat a lot of fish, walnuts, and other foods containing omega-3.
Look at the sources for more about raiseing hdl
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Dear KTurner,
Thanks for submitting a SharePost.
This is really something you need to discuss with you doctor, as he is familiar with you health history and which treatment options are appropriate.
However, I have pulled together some information about HDL cholesterol and alternative therapies, and I hope they come in handy when you speak with your doctor.
HDL: Harder to Control than Thought
Lowering Cholesterol and the Difference Between HDL and LDL
Ask the Expert: HDL Raising Medication
Ask the Expert: HDL and LDL Ratios
Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes for Controlling Cholesterol Levels
Drop Your Cholesterol Like a Stone -- Naturally
Small LDL Cholesterol: The Epidemic of the New Century
Best of luck!
-Katherine
Thank you, Katherine,
I went back to my doctor today for a follow-up visit. We discussed the possible use of Niaspan for the low HDL. He said that he tried it one time and he couldn't tolerate it because of excessive itching and redness all over his body.
He said that with my profile (overall low cholesterol level-125, non-smoker, good weight, exercise daily, good blood pressure and pulse, etc.) that he did not think my risk is too high. He said there would be some risk, but maybe not worth the side effects.
I have read some of the articles you provided, and will read the others soon. Again, thank you for caring enough to provide this valuable information.
My HDL is 34 and has been for some time now. My doctor put me on niacin 250 mg (flush free OTC) for a year and it did nothing. We then went up to 500 for 6 months and still nothing. We then switched to Niaspan 1000 mg for 6 mo. And guess what, still nothing. I am now taking 2000 mg of Niaspan and will go for another checkup in mid December. If conditions don't improve I am going to drop the Niaspan and take my chances. My over all condition is about the same as yours so I don't feel that I am in much danger.
Mvia