Question about blood work

[susan423]

So I had blood work done the other day. I've been on Atkins off and on for a couple of years and I had blood work done about a year ago but I don't remember what it was (I plan on saving these results). Anyway here's the results.
Thyroid: TSH 1.97
Total cholesterol 153
Triglycerides 52
HDL "Good cholesterol" 43
LDL "bad cholesterol" 100
HDL Ratio 3.6
Anyway on the bottom she wrote a note that says "All labs were very good."
What worries me is the bad cholesterol numbers. It said normal range is below 100 so isn't it a little high?
This is the first time that I decided to pay attention to these numbers so just trying to understand
Thanks!

[tfek70]

Your LDL level is in the near optimal level (100-129). I would be concerned about your HDL level. Optimal is greater than 60, under 40 is considered poor for males, under 50 is poor for females. If you want to raise this number, niacin supplements, increased fiber, cardio, and quitting smoking are the way to do it. I raised mine from 29 to 37 in two months, and I'm obviously hoping for more. Everything else looks great!

[not2late]

Good job on the numbers!

Even with a bad cholesterol of exactly 100, it's not too bad. You'll just need to lower it a bit.

tfek is right about the HDL being a bit low. What's your exercise plan like?

[SunnySmile501]

I raised my HDL from 26 to 78 just by eating a lot of fat, including lots more extra virgin olive oil, olives, avocado, salmon and nuts (monounsaturates). I have blood work done every 90 days, so I was able to track how much increase I had in HDL by starting the considerable increase in monounsaturates right after having blood drawn. My HDL went from 46 to 78 in that 90 days. For that 90 days, I ate homemade guacamole, tapenade (black olive paste) and/or black olives at every meal. All my salad dressings had olive oil in them. My doctor was very impressed, as was I.

[susan423]

Thanks guys. It says on my sheet that normal range for HDL is greater then 40.
Thanks for the tips on increasing it. I do consume quite a bit of olive oil.
I may consider niacin suppliments. Fiber never seems to be a problem either.
Sunny, I love olives but was concerned about sodium so I've been limiting them. I would love an excuse to eat more
Would the same tips for increasing HDL also help to lower the LDL?
I was going to ask how often I should get rechecked. Should I get check every 90 days?

[tfek70]

Susan, I saw above 40 being normal for everyone too, but another site that I went to said that estrogen increases HDL so that women should shoot for 50. I'm trying to get mine as high as possible. I guess I'll up my monosaturated fat levels like SunnySmile did.

[not2late]

You could rinse the salty olives in water. Or you can marinate them. I read a Spanish tapas recipe where you marinate olives in olive oil, lemon peel, garlic, pepper, etc. That would probably remove some of the excess salt.

Plus you'll end up with a flavored olive oil you can use in salad dressings.

[SunnySmile501]

Originally Posted by susan423

Thanks guys. It says on my sheet that normal range for HDL is greater then 40.
Thanks for the tips on increasing it. I do consume quite a bit of olive oil.
I may consider niacin suppliments. Fiber never seems to be a problem either.
Sunny, I love olives but was concerned about sodium so I've been limiting them. I would love an excuse to eat more
Would the same tips for increasing HDL also help to lower the LDL?
I was going to ask how often I should get rechecked. Should I get check every 90 days?

I don't eat a lot of green olives, which are very high in sodium, I like the canned black olives, which have way less sodium.

A combination of eating these foods and exercise will usually lower (oops edit to change that to LDL) LDL cholesterol.

I have blood work done every 90 days due to a disorder that I have and the medications I have to take for it. They just happen to test everything when they do labs. My lab work costs almost $2,000 a pop, so unless it is absolutely required, insurance won't pay. With your good numbers, you probably should only need it done once a year.

[susan423]

Originally Posted by SunnySmile501

I don't eat a lot of green olives, which are very high in sodium, I like the canned black olives, which have way less sodium.

A combination of eating these foods and exercise will usually lower HDL cholesterol.

I have blood work done every 90 days due to a disorder that I have and the medications I have to take for it. They just happen to test everything when they do labs. My lab work costs almost $2,000 a pop, so unless it is absolutely required, insurance won't pay. With your good numbers, you probably should only need it done once a year.

I didn't realize green olives had more sudium. I absolutely hate green olives but I love the black olives in a can so that's good news
I was thinking that once a year should be enough but when you mentioed every 90 days I thought I should ask and be sure
Thanks so much.

[susan423]

Originally Posted by not2late

You could rinse the salty olives in water. Or you can marinate them. I read a Spanish tapas recipe where you marinate olives in olive oil, lemon peel, garlic, pepper, etc. That would probably remove some of the excess salt.

Plus you'll end up with a flavored olive oil you can use in salad dressings.

Wow! That sounds awesome. Will be trying that soon.