Cholesterol levels

I remember when we first became aware of cholesterol levels and Drs starting including testing I was told 5/6 was ok.
Now anything over about 2 is frowned on.
Also the good cholesterol over the bad seems to be being ignored.

I was told that as long as the ratio between good and bad cholesterol is ok, then that's fine.

Sparklefizz

I was told that as long as the ratio between good and bad cholesterol is ok, then that's fine.

How do you mean, Sparklefizz? What is the ratio? Bit dim, sorry.

I was always told by my GP cholesterol should be 5 or below in total . That's the bad and good added together. As yours adds up 5 Alice then it's fine. Try not to worry.

I too was told anything over 5 is bad. Mine was 7.4, so now on statins, and it is now down below 5. I am not overweight (9st 4) and 5ft 5.

They started me on statins, legs started swelling. So took me off. No problems. Cholesterol is probably still about 7. But, I have survived all these years.

I am mid 60's.. never had cholesterol checked!

To calculate your cholesterol ratio, divide your total cholesterol number by your HDL cholesterol number. So if your total cholesterol is 200 mg/dL (5.2 mmol/L) and your HDL is 50 mg/dL (1.3 mmol/L), your ratio would be 4-to-1.

Yours sounds really good in that case Alice

I usually ask and am given a copy of my results when I have a blood test.

My cholesterol level was over 7 and so I started a statin. Only take it every other day as it made me tired, would probably be okay every day now as I’ve probably adjusted to it. Anyway my cholesterol is now below 5, about 4.50 and GP seems happy. I think that’s total cholesterol though as they don’t seem to split the numbers any longer.

Thanks for all the info - sorry, I was feeling a bit weepy earlier

I read yesterday that new findings suggest that you are most at risk of heart disease if you had raised cholesterol levels in your 30s and 40s. People in their 60s and 70s have naturally higher levels, so yours sounds ok Aice75 though I'm not a doctor.

This thread has prompted me to look at my latest test results, which are available to me on the MyGP app.

Total Cholesterol is 3.92
HDL is 1.22
NonHDL is 2.7
TC:HDL is 3.2

All of which is absolutely fine according to the guidelines.

www.heartuk.org.uk/cholesterol/understanding-your-cholesterol-test-results-

Not a doctor but your cholesterol level seems good to me Alice. Hope you feel better now and your family recover soon.

Your levels look absolutely fine too Alice. I hope you’re feeling better today x

I started statins 3 month ago due to a high score , has anyone else who takes statins noticed any dizzyness/ lightheadedness since starting them, it may just be a coincidence

You do have good advice here, but I would ring and ask to speak to the practice nurse. You may have to mske n appointment, or you my be able to leave a message.
Explain that you were anxious / upset about relatives and would like to go over the figures again. They will be used to this, and there is no hurry!

LucyAnna

Sparklefizz

I was told that as long as the ratio between good and bad cholesterol is ok, then that's fine.

How do you mean, Sparklefizz? What is the ratio? Bit dim, sorry.

LucyAnna I didn't have to work out my ratio as it was printed below my results on the print-out I asked for. My GP said that the ratio needs to be below 5.

I'm 75, fit, healthy, not overweight but a recent blood test showed high cholesterol - and high BP. I bought a home monitor and BP was very high when I started testing (white coat syndrome at home!) but although above normal levels it's come down. I've been referred to the Lipid clinic because my high cholesterol might be a hereditary gene, looking at the sudden deaths on one side of the family. Several years ago my cholesterol was high, how I wished the GP had investigated it then.

I have not added on to an existing thread before, but it may be relevant this time?

Someone I know[not me] has been refered to a pharmisist or someone because of "lipids"
Are they the new word for statins?

I have had a bit of a google, and dont know anything about this subject.
I dont know her numbers on anything. Not sure she does either for about 1 week.

And do lipids mean it is necessarily a hereditary condition?
Thanks.

I had a health check, secretly hoping for a bit of a telling off. Perhaps a nudge in the direction of help with excess weight.

Colesterol was 6.1. They were totally unconcerned.

I saw a cartoon recently.

A chap strolling jauntily down the road, whistling, hands in pockets, a smile on his face. Looked like he hadn’t a care in the world.

The caption read;

This man does not know his blood pressure.
He doesn’t know his cholesterol levels.
He doesn’t know his BMI.

And another one or two ‘health’ issues that I can’t recall.

The gist being, ‘ but he looks happy’.

Made me think.

I know we need to be aware of potential health issues, but sometimes we seem to spend do much time just worrying about everything….

A few months ago I was prescribed statins over the phone by a pharmacist , as my last cholesterol test was 6.8.
I am 75 with no other health problems and take no regular medication. I saw on the nhs website that statins should not be prescribed to people over 75 unless they have diabetes, heart or lung problems, etc, which I don’t. So I havnt started to take them.
Still trying to get an appointment with the doctor to discuss, but finding it hard to get past reception .