A 'gold star' for my cholesterol

14 years ago

My doctor's nurse just told me over the phone that I deserve a gold star for my blood work. Total cholesterol was 170, down about 30 points from the last test, and triglycerides were a very normal 143. I'd been wondering about the latter because many years ago (when I ate breads and muffins, etc.) they were a dangerous 547. More recently, I was hoping the fruit I eat wasn't driving them up again.

I'm pretty strict about what I eat--avoiding saturated fats and sugar like the plague and limiting carbs--plus I eat oat bran and walnuts every day, and this helps. The older I get (and I'm aging rapidly!), the more important these numbers seem to be.

So.......who's got a gold star they can post for me? :-)

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Comments (10)

oldgardener_2009
14 years ago
Congratulations!

I got my cholesterol down from 240 to 200 and my doctor wasn't even impressed! LOL
glenda_al
14 years ago
I got a JUST GREAT on everything on my last bloodwork in Feb and I had just come home from a cruise.

One for YOU! {{!gwi}}

One for ME!
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alisande
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks, Glenda!! Definitely good for you! Cruising has got to pose a challenge.
jak1
14 years ago
Got gold for everything from my recent bloodwork EXCEPT cholesterol. 64, never had a problem with anything before, lucky me.
Took Crestor for the first time this morning, we'll see. Also reading labels like crazy.
cookie8
14 years ago
I have an alternative diet too and my numbers are amazing! I eat a lot of fats too (olive oil, walnut oil, avocadoes, egg yolks, meats, nuts) but no processed fat foods ever. I will have a dessert though and eat chocolate (85% dark). Sorry, my numbers are different in Canada.
Chol - 3.81
HDL - 2.06
LDL - 1.55
Chol/HDL ration - 1.8
Before when I used to eat low fat (standard diet) I felt horrible!
Harvard created their own pyramid and I would trust that one over the SAD one. My weight hasn't changed ever so it's not from losing weight either. I always kept my weight at a healthy one.
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/pyramid/
ruthieg__tx
14 years ago
mine is always high and I need to go for a checkup...

Here is a link that might be useful: Harvard pyramid
chisue
14 years ago
Just about the only thing my body does well is this cholesterol thing. According to my MD, my lipid results are great. I think it's the last two numbers that count:

Triglyceride - 74
Cholesterol - 180
Chol/HDL - 2.4
LDL/HDL - 1.0
DHDL - 75
DLDL - 78

My doctor noted that an HDL over 60 is optimal and an LDL under 100 is optimal. (Are my numbers really so amazing for a Senior woman?)

DH's cholesterol level is a tad over 200, but he has no history of heart disease and is over 70, so no more drugs for him, although earlier they were prescribed. IMO too many 'borderline' patients are prescribed drugs. DH was always 'borderline' on or off drugs.
alisande
Original Author
14 years ago
Cookie, I can't interpret your numbers, but I'm sure they're excellent. :-) I, too, eat a lot of good fats. I wish I could say I've always kept my weight at a healthy level, though. I'm far from my all-time high, but I'm not at my all-time low either.

Chisue, you've got me beat on the HDL and LDL. Mine are 43 and 110, respectively. The nurse said the latter was very good--maybe she didn't add that it could be better. With my family history of heart disease and early heart attacks, though, I'm happy that I've succeeded as well as I have so far.

Ruthie, go get that checkup! :-) (I'm smiling, but I'm serious.)
chisue
14 years ago
Alisande -- I think this is like horseshoes and hand grenades: Close counts!
alisande
Original Author
14 years ago
I like your analogy, Chisue!

A 'gold star' for my cholesterol

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oldgardener_2009

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A 'gold star' for my cholesterol

Comments (10)

oldgardener_2009

glenda_al

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alisandeOriginal Author

jak1

cookie8

ruthieg__tx

chisue

alisandeOriginal Author

chisue

alisandeOriginal Author

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alisande
Original Author

alisande
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