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High HDL and LDL
QUESTION: I am a 30 yr old female 5 5" tall and weighing 115 pounds. My TC IS 307, LDL - 208 , HDL - 85. If you look at my numbers my ratio (0.41) seems to be excellent. I have started to cut down on fats, but do you think these numbers are high enough to get me on medications? ANSWER: Hi there, If I look at your numbers, I could tell that your TC and LDL are really high, and this is something you should be worried about, especially for your high LDL cholesterol. With regards to your ratio, it seems to be perfectly normal, because you also have high HDL levels (which is really good to have). But this high HDL will "hidden" (neutralize) your high LDL (which are the worrisome factor).
Alternatively, you can use the "pure" ratio: LDL/HDL = 208/85 = 2.44 (the normal less than 2.5; means yours is normal).
Or, TC/HDL = 307/85 = 3.61 (slightly increased as the normal should be lower than 2).
You have increased TC because of high LDL and high HDL levels, which can, proportionally, contribute in high total cholesterol levels.
It is good that you have started to change your dietary strategies; keep in mind to cut down the sugary foods, processed ones, and always use fresh foods (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, etc).
Foods cannot do the work alone if you do not put your body into movement, so the body cells will utilize the energy they get from food, will be well-oxygenation and their metabolism will be enhanced too.
The most important thing is to not follow these changes only "part-time", but, you must be consistent. If so, you will keep freshly and healthy all life long.
All the best!
Dr.Alba
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