I just had bloodwork and have an HDL of 128 (verified) LDL of 107 ratio of 2.0, triglycerides of 75.
My HDL has been increasing over the last couple of years. 2 years ago it was 88, last year it was 97; now this year it is 128 (verified for accuracy by repeat analysis at Quest Diagnostics). I assume that these numbers are good, even though my total is 250. Is that true??
Hi Ayerkes,
Yes, your numbers are good and not cause for concern even though your total cholesterol is above 250. Your LDL is below 130, ratio below 4.5, and triglycerides below 200, so you are sitting pretty
Have you made changes to your activity or eating habits over the past two years? Increased physical activity and a switch to a higher healthy unsaturated fat (canola oils, olive oils) intake may be the reason your HDL (good) cholesterol has been on the rise. Perfectly good.
Think of HDL as a vacuum cleaner going throughout your arteries picking up all the cholesterol LDL has dropped. The more vacuum cleaners the better.
I do recommend you continue to monitor your cholesterol regularly to stay on top of any negative changes in the future and always discuss concerns with your MD.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson, RD, LN
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You should discuss these high HDL levels with your physician or a cardiologist. While conventional wisdom is that high-HDL is protective against cardiovascular disease, a recent study proposed a limit to this benefit when scientists discovered that HDL beyond 70mg/dl are not protective and may actually increase the risk of coronary artery disease. Though this association is not definite, a reasonable target would be to keep your total cholesterol below 200, and your LDL below 100. Another key goal would be to modify other cardiovascular risks that can be reduced or eliminated, including smoking, high blood pressure, physical inactivity, and obesity.
Very high HDL levels can be genetic, or they may be related to an external factor, including the following possiblities:
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- Vigorous and sustained aerobic exercise, such as long distance running
- Regular consumption of large amounts of alcohol
- Treatment with a number of medications: oral estrogens, nicotinic acid (niacin) at doses greater than 1 g/d, the antiseizure medication phenytoin (Dilantin), and fibrates (bezafibrate, clofibrate, fenofibrate, gemfibrozil)
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