Understanding Your Cholesterol Numbers

Today, one of the most useful tests an adult can take is the cholesterol test. The results of this test can indicate a possible problem when taken in conjunction with other risk factors. The usual cholesterol test is the lipoprotein profile. Cholesterol is made in your body by your liver.

It is a fatty substance that combines with protein and travels in bile into the intestine where it is absorbed and enters the bloodstream to help build and maintain cells, make hormones and strengthens nerves. At least that's what good cholesterol does. Bad cholesterol builds plaque in the arteries constricting blood flow and causes heart disease and heart attacks.

The Numbers

The results of the test show cholesterol numbers for low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density protein (HDL) and triglycerides as well as the total of all cholesterol. LDL is bad cholesterol. The density is the ratio of fatty cholesterol to protein.

Low density means that the ratio of protein is low and the cholesterol is high in fat. HDL, of course is the good cholesterol with high protein ratios. Triglycerides are fats traveling in the blood. Extra calories, alcohol and sugar convert to triglycerides and are stored in fat cells. Only the HDL is good for you.

The best LDL numbers are below 100 but 100 to 129 is good. Borderline high is 130 to 159. High LDL is 160-189 and over 190 are very high. If you have risk factors like existing heart or blood vessel disease, doctors believe that your LDL cholesterol numbers should be below 70. Less dangerous risk factors like diabetes allow LDL cholesterol numbers up to almost 100.

HDL cholesterol actually helps keep bad cholesterol down and cleans out artery clogs, so the higher, the better. If HDL cholesterol numbers are below 40 for men or 50 for women, it is considered too low and constitutes a risk factor. Your best HDL cholesterol numbers are above 60.

High triglyceride levels are a predictor for possible coronary artery disease. Normal levels are less than 150; borderline high is 150 to 199. They are high at 200 to 4999 and very high if 500 or over. Total cholesterol numbers should be below 200. If you have total cholesterol numbers from 200 to 239 you are border line high and at 240 or above you are at an extremely high risk. Together with your doctor, you can discuss how your cholesterol numbers fit with your personal risk factors and the results of other tests from a physical examination.

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