Cholesterol - Well I'm lost! Help?

[mg_2204]

Hello!

I've called my doc to know WHY I have been switched from Crestor to Lipitor. Apparently I need my LDL (the big bad boy) to be lower. At the moment it's 3.2. I never had a chance to ask about the other one, the HDL :mad: - But I guess the LDL is the one to keep an eye on?

I've searched and read and read and read again on the subject and I am lost! From what I've read 3.2 for LDL is not considered low. My target in England has always been to be under 5. I was 5.2 last year. I've improved my LDL or so it seems.

I've read interesting stuff on American websites but you guys measure in mg/dL and I'm even more lost. Can't even find an online cholesterol converter (if such a thing exists!). Help?

Huge heart probs in my family history. I MUST take cholesterol issues at heart (no pun intended!). I'm going to make an extra effort on oatmeal again (have gone off the stuff for a while), pumpkin seeds, and yogurt. Apparently they could help.

Is there such a thing as too low LDL by the way??!

All mixed up. If anyone can shed some light please go ahead :) :) :)

Thanks!

[HelenM]

Marie, I don't know if its any help but my results come in both mmol and grams per litre.

My total cholesterol was 4.33mmol which is 1.68 g/l (168mg/dl )
LDL was 2.29 mmol which is .88g/l (88 mg/dcl)

I was pleased with the LDL but the doctor still considers it be slightly too high and ideally wants it less than .7g/l (that seems to be very low)
Was your target in England perhaps for total cholesterol not LDL?



Husband has just come to help.. the rough conversion factor based on my labs figures seems to be 38.8 ie you multily mmol by 38.8 to get mg/dcl
so 3.2 mmol is approximately 124 mg/dcl

[mzizgayle]

The LDL (lousy, as I was told)is the one that needs to be under 100 per American standards, at least what my doctor says. This is the one that can cause trouble if high. The HDL (healthy) they want at least 50 or higher and the big ole number of cholesterol is 200 and under...Not sure how that converts to your standards. Some doctors maybe want different with their patients.

[BlueSky]

... Apparently I need my LDL (the big bad boy) to be lower. At the moment it's 3.2. .... My target in England has always been to be under 5. I was 5.2 last year. I've improved my LDL or so it seems....
I think you might be confusing LDL and Total Choleterol. A common guideline is for TC to be <5.2. The formula for calculating total cholesterol is TC=LDL+HDL+tri's/5. And,yes the HDL number is important becuase the TC/HDL ratio is the best risk indicator. If you get the HDL number up, the LDL is not as much of a concern. LDL of 3.2 is considered borderline high. And many doctors like diabetics to have their LDL below 2.5.

My LDL is much like yours. And the GP suggests that I take a statin every time that I see her. I have chosen not to do this as the benefits are really quite marginal, and I avoid drugs if at all possible.

[celt]

just got my report back from my heart doctor and she wants my ldl down from 102 that it is now to 70 or lower so she has put me on the lowest level that would work and do that for the next six months.
by the why my a1c is down to 5.4 (happy about that)
and now i am looking on the net about the use of stantens?
what is it you do not like about the use of them

[Peter Lee]

Hello!

I've called my doc to know WHY I have been switched from Crestor to Lipitor. Apparently I need my LDL (the big bad boy) to be lower. At the moment it's 3.2. I never had a chance to ask about the other one, the HDL :mad: - But I guess the LDL is the one to keep an eye on?

I've searched and read and read and read again on the subject and I am lost! From what I've read 3.2 for LDL is not considered low. My target in England has always been to be under 5. I was 5.2 last year. I've improved my LDL or so it seems.

I've read interesting stuff on American websites but you guys measure in mg/dL and I'm even more lost. Can't even find an online cholesterol converter (if such a thing exists!). Help?

Huge heart probs in my family history. I MUST take cholesterol issues at heart (no pun intended!). I'm going to make an extra effort on oatmeal again (have gone off the stuff for a while), pumpkin seeds, and yogurt. Apparently they could help.

Is there such a thing as too low LDL by the way??!

All mixed up. If anyone can shed some light please go ahead :) :) :)

Thanks!

If you click on the Tools tab on the main Forums page of this site, you will find the converters that you need. The cholesterol ones are at the bottom of the list.

[mg_2204]

what is it you do not like about the use of them

Been on cholesterol lowering drugs for at least a year now. I don't mind having to use them. If you need it well you need it I say! :) But I would like to understand more about cholesterol, the levels I am supposed to strive for, etc. I feel that by understanding more about it I'll be able to manage my health much better too at the same time. And because I'm not too keen on my new doctor, I don't trust him to be honest, I want to be able to understand everything just in case he makes the wrong decisions. It's MY health after all.

Thank you everyone for your feedback again! I really appreciate it.

Peter! I can't see the 'Tools' tab anymore. I think it's gone now.

[Peter Lee]

Been on cholesterol lowering drugs for at least a year now. I don't mind having to use them. If you need it well you need it I say! :) But I would like to understand more about cholesterol, the levels I am supposed to strive for, etc. I feel that by understanding more about it I'll be able to manage my health much better too at the same time. And because I'm not too keen on my new doctor, I don't trust him to be honest, I want to be able to understand everything just in case he makes the wrong decisions. It's MY health after all.

Thank you everyone for your feedback again! I really appreciate it.

Peter! I can't see the 'Tools' tab anymore. I think it's gone now.

I can still see it! Right at the top just below the Private Messages box. There's a line of tabs: UserCP, Tools, FAQ, Member's List, Rules, New Posts, Search, Quick Links, Photo Gallery, Chat, Log Out.

When you click on Tools you get a new window with a list of converters.