HELP- HDL cholesterol

lukimakamai

I feel so defeated!
In October I had a fasting blood test and my HDL was 44- over 60 is optimal, the higher the number the better. If you are under 40 it is considered too low. Also having a low HDL level has recently been found the greatest predictor of heart disease in women. So after taking this blood test in October I decided to get serious, I got fish oil pills and have been taking them daily along with my other multivitamins for over 5 months now. I have also been exercising and eating right since the end of December.
Then today I had another fasting blood test and my good cholesterol was even lower at 41! What the heck!!! I don’t understand! The good news is my triglycerides were lower too but the only thing in my blood tests I really need to improve is getting my good cholesterol up. I’m going to continue taking the pills but anyone have other ways to help with this?
As I said I'm already eating well, exercising and taking the pills so what else do I need to do?!!!

pyro13g

More fat, strength training, eliminate vegetable oils, and add some alcohol. A low HDL may not matter. You should have C-Reactive Protein (CRP) test added to your blood work and have a VAP test done. If that's good low HDL may not be a big deal in the short term. Stressing over it is not good either.

If you smoke, quit! If their is a a smoker in the house make them smoke outside.

Cholesterol is a package deal. No one marker means anything on it's own. Not sure what pills you take but if they are statins, flush them down the toilet.

Look up anti-inflammatory diets. CRP will measure inflammation, VAP will tell you the pattern(particle size) of LDL,

jenilla1

I feel your pain. I have terrible cholesterol levels across the board, but I'm young, I've been eating healthy for years - low fat and low cholesterol high fiber diet - I'm within healthy range BMI, exercise regularly, never smoked or drank or did drugs, etc...I've been told that sometimes it's just GENETIC. It's very frustrating when you are doing all the right things and still not seeing results. I will probably have to go on meds to fix my cholesterol, but I haven't given up yet. My cholesterol was ok when I was at the lower end of the healthy BMI range. I'm now at the middle high end of healthy. I'm gonna try losing a few pounds and see if it helps. Good luck to you!

pyro13g

I feel your pain. I have terrible cholesterol levels across the board, but I'm young, I've been eating healthy for years - low fat and low cholesterol high fiber diet - I'm within healthy range BMI, exercise regularly, never smoked or drank or did drugs, etc...I've been told that sometimes it's just GENETIC. It's very frustrating when you are doing all the right things and still not seeing results. I will probably have to go on meds to fix my cholesterol, but I haven't given up yet. My cholesterol was ok when I was at the lower end of the healthy BMI range. I'm now at the middle high end of healthy. I'm gonna try losing a few pounds and see if it helps. Good luck to you!

Watch FatHead, and do more research from there. Sounds like you are worrying about nothing from lack of info. The right blood work will prove it.

AndyAt160lbs

Pryro is right on the money increase your fat intake and lower your carbs and your levels will improve. A low fat diet is the worst thing you can do for your body.

lukimakamai

Pyro- thanks for giving me some tests to ask my dr. about.

Jenilla- thanks for the support

I do not drink any alcohol because I'm TTC and I have never smoked or done drugs...

lukimakamai

Actually I have watched Fat Head- great movie! I closely watch carbs and eat plenty of red meat...I recommend this movie also. As I said great movie.

AndyAt160lbs

I feel your pain. I have terrible cholesterol levels across the board, but I'm young, I've been eating healthy for years - low fat and low cholesterol high fiber diet - I'm within healthy range BMI, exercise regularly, never smoked or drank or did drugs, etc...I've been told that sometimes it's just GENETIC. It's very frustrating when you are doing all the right things and still not seeing results. I will probably have to go on meds to fix my cholesterol, but I haven't given up yet. My cholesterol was ok when I was at the lower end of the healthy BMI range. I'm now at the middle high end of healthy. I'm gonna try losing a few pounds and see if it helps. Good luck to you!

Watch FatHead, and do more research from there. Sounds like you are worrying about nothing from lack of info. The right blood work will prove it.

Fathead is a great film as well as The Beautiful Truth you are on the money. I have stopped all my Diabetic meds and have lost over 20lbs in a little over a month eating a higher fat, lower carb eating plan. And I feel great.....

jenilla1

Thanks for the advice - I will watch FatHead. I have had to eat a low fat diet for years because I have an inherited digestive disorder - I can't digest large amounts of fat. I used to end up very sick and have been to the ER a couple of times with dehydration from the intense vomiting and diarhhea that occured when my liver rejected the fat. I have to spread out my fat intake in small amounts throughout the day to keep from feeling sick. On a low fat diet I FEEL awesome and I've never had to be overweight. But I do sometimes wonder if my liver is compensating for the low fat by making more cholesterol though...Oh well. I'd rather have high cholesterol than be sick all the time like I used to be...:sick:

pyro13g

Thanks for the advice - I will watch FatHead. I have had to eat a low fat diet for years because I have an inherited digestive disorder - I can't digest large amounts of fat. I used to end up very sick and have been to the ER a couple of times with dehydration from the intense vomiting and diarhhea that occured when my liver rejected the fat. I have to spread out my fat intake in small amounts throughout the day to keep from feeling sick. On a low fat diet I FEEL awesome and I've never had to be overweight. But I do sometimes wonder if my liver is compensating for the low fat by making more cholesterol though...Oh well. I'd rather have high cholesterol than be sick all the time like I used to be...:sick:

I thinks it's safe to say you have a unique issue with fat digestion that is best addressed and managed by a doctor. Ignore us, our comments about amount of fat, and stick with the doctor.


Ignore our fat comments! I think you know you should.

jenilla1

Okie dokie - I agree, but I will still watch FatHead because I enjoy that kind of thing and I like to have as much information as possible. I know plenty of people with normal digestive systems who might benefit. Thanks and good luck to everyone!