Your Cholesterol Levels

As part of your regular checkup, it is likely that the doctor will order bloodwork that among other things will measure your levels of total cholesterol and also High Density Lipoproteins (HDL). Should the numbers show outside of the normal range, the doctor may ask for a fasting cholesterol test. For this, you won't eat or drink other than water for twelve hours prior to the test. This test will show your Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) and triglyceride levels, in addition to the total cholesterol level and HDL.

The National Cholesterol Education Program has presented goal cholesterol levels, which are as follows:

Total Cholesterol Level (mg/dl)
Desirable: Below 200
Borderline: 200-239
Undesirable: 240 and above

LDL Cholesterol (mg/dl)
Desirable: Below 100
Above Average: 100-129
Borderline: 130-159
Undesirable: 160-189
Very Undesirable: 190 and above

HDL Cholesterol (mg/dl)
Desirable: Above 60
Borderline: 40-60
Undesirable: Below 40

Serum Triglycerides (mg/dl)
Normal: Below 150
Borderline: 150-199
Undesirable: 200-499
Very Undesirable: 500 or above

Some laboratories will calculate the cholesterol ratio (total/HDL), but it is far more important to get the individual numbers for the total cholesterol, hdl and ldl. NOtice that lower numbers are desirable for everything except HDL. The high density lipoproteins are known as good cholesterol. If your HDL levels are lower than 40 mg/dl, you can increase them by

• Quitting smoking
• Losing weight
• Getting physically active for at least 30-60 minutes per day.

Your cholesterol levels, along with your other risk factors will determine the course of action that your physician will recommend. Some of these risk factors are

• Obesity
• Family history
• Lack of physical activity
• Age
• Sex
• Alcohol consumption
• Stress
• Body shape
• Diabetes
• Smoking

Some of these factors you have no control over, such as age, family history and sex. But you need to take care of business with the others. Quitting smoking is a given. Adding exercise to your daily schedule can help you with multiple factors, including reducing weight, reducing stress and lowering cholesterol levels. Watch your diet by eating less saturated fats and trans fats.

Another alternative treatment method is medication. There are many to choose from, both precription and non-prescription, be sure to check with your physician before trying any of these.

Also make sure to check with your physician before starting any new diet or exercise regimen.

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Home Cholesterol Test Kits

Hi all,

After your physical, your doctor said you need to lower your cholesterol. Being a good do-be, you start right in on quitting smoking, eating less saturated fats, eating more soy products and a half dozen other ideas from the good doctor.

Fast forward two months.....how do you tell if you've made any progress?

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