Low HDL
runningjen74
Posts: 312 Member
Hi All,
I got my cholesterol tested recently. I'm not going to give figures as European and the way we report is different.
Total cholesterol, under the recommended value, not by much, but no red flags.
LDL - Over by about 20-30%, I'm not overly concerned about this one. Don't have figures on number of particles, etc.
Triglycerides - Low, about 30% or less of the max - Great, delighted with this.
HDL - Low, less than 35% of what it should be. V. Low!
The only one that really concerns me is my HDL and hence the ratio of Total cholesterol to HDL (about 10, should be far far lower). Even when I ignore the conventional wisdom and read more from folks like Chris Kresser or people like that, this is the one that should be worrying me. I don't think Cholesterol is bad, but I think my low HDL is worrying.
I eat olive oil/coconut oil/Advocados. Probably not eating as much meat these days, more chicken (free range). I eat fish, but looking back at my log, probably more smoked fish. But eating a bit more of these will bring it up, but relative to most folks, I'm really not afraid of fat - could be up to 50% of my macro and doesn't worry me.
Any other suggestions? I've had a borderline hypo thyroid the last 10 years or so, so I'm going to have a chat with doc about doing something about this again then retesting cholesterol in 3 months. I will say that I'm feeling great at the moment, where as when my thyroid is acting up I tend to be really cold. I'm also considering vitamin d + fish oil supplements - this time of year, we don't get much sun light here, hell we don't get a whole lot of it at the best of times! But really I like to think that I can fix most things with healthy living.
I eat a primal diet, at least most of the time. Actually I eat real food and try not to label myself - but it's mainly veg/meat/fish/fats/small bit of dairy in coffee or some sneaky cheese/small amount of legumes. I've given up dairy / legumes before and not found myself to be sensitive to them at all, but I'm prepared to give them up again in the interest of testing. If working on my thyroid/Vit D doesn't work, I'll look at the autoimmune protocol, but don't see the point yet. I have PCOS, so aim to keep my carbs fairly low, under 100. But I don't limit myself really, I just get most carbs from fruit/veg. If I want a bit more I take it, but in general, it's fairly low.
I don't smoke, drink very moderately (2-4 units of alcohol a week, that's a heavy week), exercise - lift weights 2-3 times a week, bit of interval training and a couple of runs a week. Sleep well, around 8 hours, thought not a pitch dark room and low to moderate stress most of the time. No family history of cholesterol problems.
Any other suggestions? Anyone else worked through this before.
Thanks
Jen
I got my cholesterol tested recently. I'm not going to give figures as European and the way we report is different.
Total cholesterol, under the recommended value, not by much, but no red flags.
LDL - Over by about 20-30%, I'm not overly concerned about this one. Don't have figures on number of particles, etc.
Triglycerides - Low, about 30% or less of the max - Great, delighted with this.
HDL - Low, less than 35% of what it should be. V. Low!
The only one that really concerns me is my HDL and hence the ratio of Total cholesterol to HDL (about 10, should be far far lower). Even when I ignore the conventional wisdom and read more from folks like Chris Kresser or people like that, this is the one that should be worrying me. I don't think Cholesterol is bad, but I think my low HDL is worrying.
I eat olive oil/coconut oil/Advocados. Probably not eating as much meat these days, more chicken (free range). I eat fish, but looking back at my log, probably more smoked fish. But eating a bit more of these will bring it up, but relative to most folks, I'm really not afraid of fat - could be up to 50% of my macro and doesn't worry me.
Any other suggestions? I've had a borderline hypo thyroid the last 10 years or so, so I'm going to have a chat with doc about doing something about this again then retesting cholesterol in 3 months. I will say that I'm feeling great at the moment, where as when my thyroid is acting up I tend to be really cold. I'm also considering vitamin d + fish oil supplements - this time of year, we don't get much sun light here, hell we don't get a whole lot of it at the best of times! But really I like to think that I can fix most things with healthy living.
I eat a primal diet, at least most of the time. Actually I eat real food and try not to label myself - but it's mainly veg/meat/fish/fats/small bit of dairy in coffee or some sneaky cheese/small amount of legumes. I've given up dairy / legumes before and not found myself to be sensitive to them at all, but I'm prepared to give them up again in the interest of testing. If working on my thyroid/Vit D doesn't work, I'll look at the autoimmune protocol, but don't see the point yet. I have PCOS, so aim to keep my carbs fairly low, under 100. But I don't limit myself really, I just get most carbs from fruit/veg. If I want a bit more I take it, but in general, it's fairly low.
I don't smoke, drink very moderately (2-4 units of alcohol a week, that's a heavy week), exercise - lift weights 2-3 times a week, bit of interval training and a couple of runs a week. Sleep well, around 8 hours, thought not a pitch dark room and low to moderate stress most of the time. No family history of cholesterol problems.
Any other suggestions? Anyone else worked through this before.
Thanks
Jen
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Replies
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Some people with thyroid issues have digestion problems, including low digestive enzymes and HCL. This can contribute to the body not being able to produce HDL. Are you doing anything to support healthy digestion? Maybe including taking a digestive enzyme?0
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Good and fair question. I've tested it and yes I was low, but at the time pregnancy was a possibility, so didn't want to go messing with supplements. You're right, I need to re-visit this. I got vitamins with probiotics and I'd been looking in to making some nice healthy bacteria - I've played with yoghurt before.
Last time I tested this, my stomach was really complaining. I feel fine now, I guess doesn't mean that I am!
Thanks0
