LOW HDL

by FRED
(YAUCO, PUERTO RICO)

QUESTION: I KEEP ALL THE LAB TESTS OF WHICH SOME OF THE TESTS INCLUDE A LIPID PROFILE. STARTING IN 1994 TO 2010 MY HDL WAS AS HIGH AS 58.

THEN THROUGH THE YEARS IS STARTED TO DROP TO NOW IT IS 22. WE HAVE REASONABLE GOOD HEALTH HABITS. I DON'T SMOKE OR DRINK ALCOHOL OR DO ANY KIND OF DRUGS.

MY WEIGHT IS NORMAL FOR ME 170 FOR 6'2" PERSON. WE AVOID FOODS THAT HAVE SATURATED FATS, HIGH SALT, WE HAVE A CEREAL DIET FOR BREAKFAST, AVERAGE DINNER VERY LITTLE MEAT, CHICKEN OR TURKEY, AND A VERY LIGHT SUPPER AROUND 6PM.

WE EXERCISE EVERYDAY, WALKING OR WORKING IN THE GARDEN. WE SLEEP AROUND 6 TO 7 HOURS. WE HAVE NO MARITAL PROBLEMS TO CAUSE TENSION. WE ARE RETIRED.

MY BLOOD PRESSURE AVERAGES 118 / 72. I HAD BYPASS SURGERY IN 2004 JAN. WITH GREAT SUCCESS AT GOTLIEB HOSPITAL IN MELROSE PARK, ILL.

I TAKE DIOVAN AND A BETA BLOCKER, AND DIURETIC AND PROBENECID FOR URIC ACID BUILDUP. WE EAT MOSTLY FRUITS AND VEGETABLES.

I HAVE READ EVERYTHING THAT I COULD FIND ON THE WEB FOR HDL, AND AM DOING ALL THE SUGGESTIONS TO RAISE MY HDL WITH VERY LITTLE RESULT. MY TOTAL CHOLESTEROL IS AROUND 134,TRI 180, HDL 22,LDL76,VLVD 36.

NO HELP FROM LOCAL DOCTORS BUT UNANSWERED QUESTIONS.


ANSWER: Hi Fred,

You're doing the right things and I want to congratulate for the lifestyle you're following.

Your overall lipid profile is good to me. Your low HDL may be caused by the Beta-blocker and diuretic you're taking.

It is well known by clinical evidence that beta-blockers interfere in the lipid profile causing low HDL and small increases in LDL (bad) cholesterol or total cholesterol or triglycerides.

However, studies have shown that although these changes in lipid profile, these drugs remain best choices in controlling blood pressure especially in patients with cardiac disease.

So, keep your good changes and wish you all the best!

Dr.Alba

High HDL Lower LDL

by Russ
(Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico)

QUESTION: My HDL level is 63. My LDL level is 141. My VLDL is 23. My doctor says i need to lower my choresterol levels. My high level of 227 is the result ov a high HDl. Can one have too high a level of HDL?


ANSWER: Hi Russ,

What I see from your lipid profile, there is nothing to worry about to me. Your HDL is very good, your LDL level is also good (under 150 mg/dl), and your VLDL cholesterol level is normal (2 - 40 mg/dl).

Actually, VLDL measures the triglyceride your own body produces. Perhaps you may have high levels of triglycerides that you take from food.

However, if HDL level is high, that's excellent. The normal HDL levels should be higher than 50 mg/dl.

Also, I need to emphasize that your doctors perhaps has noticed something that I am not aware about.

Try to follow a healthy life with a healthy diet, and you'll keep your lipid profile results always normal.

All the best!

Dr.Alba