cholesterol numbers

[Brian23]

I recently got my annual lab results back, everything looked pretty good. My A1c was @ 6.1% (down from a 6.9) and everything was mostly in range. I did however have a question about my cholesterol. My LDL was @ 102(control range is less than 100) and my HDL was @ 65. My total was good, but my LDL was a little high. My question is, should I take some action, my Dr. said that they may want diabetics to be less than 70 on LDL.

[Funnygrl]

I wouldn't worry about getting your LDL below 100 if you don't have other heart disease. It sounds like you're doing great.

[matingara]

FWIW, my doctor is fairly aggressive re. cholesterol.

my lipid numbers have gotten really low since i drastically cut my carbohydrate intake (see my .sig). my triglycerides are in/below the normal range for the first time since i started getting them measured.

nonetheless, the doctor is keeping me on Crestor and Lipidil. my opinion is that the change in diet has had a far greater effect on my numbers than the meds have. this is also borne out by how my numbers have changed since the diet change.

i suffer no side effects from the meds - so i keep taking them as instructed.

:D

-- Joel.

[It Ain't Over]

It might be worth at least considering taking fish oil supplements. No effects from medication and they usually have significant positive effects on your cholesteral levels.

[BrianSCohen]

I am not a believer in either Santa Claus or the cholesterol myth. As far as I am concerned the only really meaningful biomarkers are HDL and triglycerides. Your HDL is great. Fish oil can bring up your HDL but you are fine. As far as I am concerned your LDL is too low, below 160 mg/dl and you are at risk for cancer and other complications. Most doctors are recommending aggresive LDL reduction, but I think (as many others do) that it is bogus. What is really crazy is your doctor probably did not even tell you what your tris were, and they are so much more important. If you do decide to take medication be very alert for serious complications.