Since my total cholesterol is over 200 I’ve been advised to take statins (I refused). Note that my total cholesterol/HDL ratio, the one that has better predictive value than total or LDL cholesterol, is excellent. Also note that the LDL levels aren’t even measured directly.
Interestingly I had one lab result where my HDL cholesterol mysteriously dropped from the 80s to 39 mg/dl. Although my LDL remained the same, my total cholesterol finally dropped to below 200 mg/dl. The doctor’s response? “Good job.” :rolleyes:
I don’t know the numbers, but my doctor just says everything is excellent and that my Vegan (not vegetarian) diet is the reason. So, happy happy me! I dont have kids but the same goes for my hubby who was a bit on the high end. Diet changed it all many years ago.
I love knowing my cholesterol/lipids numbers. That’s the one bright spot I can count on when I get my bloodwork back. Unfortunately, the last time my doctor decided he didn’t need to run those numbers because they’re always awesome.
Surreal, nice numbers. Pertinent to the thread, how often are you checking and why? (Given that you have made it clear what you think of your physician’s expertise in this matter and feel completely comfortable otherwise ignoring his/her advice, “my doctor orders it” seems an inadequate answer.)
Renee, Michael…, and Crafter Man, Eve’s anecdotal experience is often used as justification for screening those not at identified current high risk. Despite Dogzilla’s position, very few in the field would dispute the wisdom of treating those with “super duper high cholesterol” with statins. Does Eve’s story, as relatively infrequent as the circumstance might be, influence your belief set at all?
I don’t have any history of cholesterol problems in my family, and I actually do know my numbers are fine because I had it checked for a life insurance policy about a year ago. I didn’t see the numbers, but I was declared in perfect health, and assume there wasn’t anything alarming. There are scary stories about every medical condition, cholesterol doesn’t particularly scare me.
No, I think she’s saying that she doesn’t need to know the numbers, she feels fine knowing that a doctor has looked at them and declared them “fine”. Not exactly the question you asked, but it’s an answer.
I can’t live like that myself, but lots of people do.
Well, if I hadn’t been screened I wouldn’t bother, so there’s that. Eve’s experience doesn’t really bother me–crazy things happen, I’m just not a worrier.