cholesterol level 6.4

[Bee35]

I am a 43 year old female. A recent blood test showed my cholesterol level to be 6.4, which is on the high side. All other blood tests came back normal. My GP said there is no immediate cause for concern . I am active and have lost about 3 stone over the last year. I have no other health problems. However , I am now concerned that I should be trying to lower this figure for my future health. Any advice/opinions ? thanks

[LoftyLottie]

You are fine. Trust your doctor. It's not that high and if you have no other problems and have lost weigh, your doctor has acted correctly in my opinion. When mine was 7, my doctor wasn't concerned. Mine varies between 5 and 6 these days. Just eat wisely and stop worrying. People are getting their knickers in a twist far to easily about chlosterol.

[DaisyNonna]

Mine nags if it is above 4.

[LoftyLottie]

Depends on the GP. Wait to our resident doctor comes on here. His views echo my GP.

There other factors to consider alongside cholesterol levels Bee's other results are all fine then her doctor has made a wisely considered judgement.

[dotty.]

I'v just been asked to make an appointment with the nurse because of lipids or something, rang the doc's surgery and the receptionist said that's something to do with cholesterol. I eat 2 eggs a day though and so what do they expect?

[LoftyLottie]

I eat about 2 eggs a months Dotty!!

[DTCwordfan]

"You are doomed, doomed, doomed."

A little high bit I wouldn't be too concerned - just up your fibre intake etc - that bowl of oatmeal in the morning could make a wee difference to your results. It's the balance of HDL's to LDLs that really counts, I understand.

[Sqad]

You need to know your LDL and HDL readings, but I agree entirely with your GP.

[LoftyLottie]

^ Our resident doctor (Sqad) ;o)

[patsyann]

Bee 35, Exactly the same thing happened to me. a reading of 5.6 at well woman clinic and advised to see my GP. He knows my medical history and I have no high blood pressure diabetes or heart trouble and like you I have lost 3 stone in weight. He said absolutely nothing to worry about all of us have some cholesterol but mine was good cholesterol.

[LochNessMonster]

I'm type 2 diabetic and I was to aim for reading of 4 - 8 before meals so you should be okay. Light exercise for a least 20 mins per day and add some fibre to your diet in the morning. Like eating bran flakes, toast or porridge.

[jake-the-peg]

That's marginally under the score I had, I'm a reasonably fit male a bit older than you.

I was told that I'm hoverring at the very top of the "normal" band - based on my blood pressure and weight they plugged in some numbers and came out with a 3% chance of a heart attack in the next 10 years

What did I take away from this?

3% is OK ish but I really ought to be trying to get that down, probably through eating less meat and cheese - which I'm trying to do

That was about 6 months ago so I ought to go for another to see if I've been sucessful.

I think if we were in the US you and I would both be slapped on statins - but that has it's own issues

Try and eat less saturated fat and go back in 6 months

[Sqad]

JTP

\\\3% is OK ish but I really ought to be trying to get that down, probably through eating less meat and cheese - which I'm trying to do \\\

97% chance of NOT having a heart attack..........I would settle for that.

Eat less meat and less cheese and you MIGHT get that down to 98%chance of NOT having a heart attack.

We all seem obsessed with cholesterol values.

Can anybody tell me how we can get down to 100% chance of not having a heart attack?

[Sqad]

lochNess

"I was to aim for reading of 4 - 8 before meals so you should be okay."

That is blood sugar values.........Bee's figures are cholesterol values.

[boxtops]

Bee, mine's a bit higher than yours, but the GP isn't overly concerned - they use a different risk assessment tool for cardiac conditions these days, and cholesterol is only one part of them. My overall risk is low so I havent been put on any medication for a couple of years now.

[boxtops]

Dotty, the link between eggs and cholesterol has been debunked, they reckon now you can eat eggs, no problem.

[TOWIE]

Mine at last check was 7.1. I refuse to go on medication, and even though I eat a healthy diet (apart from the odd bit of chocolate) mine doesn't seem to budge.

[boxtops]

Den, mine sounds very similar to yours. I won't go back on statins, not after the last time.

[dotty.]

if excercise is key, how does being on my feet and constantly on the move 9 hours a day 5 days a week offset having 2 poached eggs on toast for breakfast at least 5 days a week? bearing in mind I have a jacket potatoe with tuna or baked beans at work for lunch 5 days a week and eat fruit at least 6 times a day, only use semi-skimmed milk and have weatabix once a day with fruit, usually for supper.

[mrs_overall]

I'm with you Boxy. Evil things those statins

[TOWIE]

Boxy - I have never been on statins, although Mr. T. is on them.

I think they caused my Mum's dementia (but thats just my opinion).