Hello slowtwitchers. Since I’m turning 40, my wife told me I should go to the doc and get bloodwork done for the first time ever. Being a good husband, I listened (haha). Anyway, I got my cholesterol numbers back and my doctor said they were perfectly fine, but they seemed a little high to me. I was wondering what you all knew about cholesterol levels and athletes. Here are the numbers:
hdl: 89
ldl: 115
total cholesterol: 204
triglycerides: 43
Thanks in advance for any comments and info!
They are indeed fine.
You may want to consider doing a search on this topic as we have had a great many conversations on this subject. I would say in with general endurance training and healthy eating you can see an ncrease in good HDL levels which make the total number higher. I am very extreme in this, my LDL is 111 and my HDL is 152, tryglcrides are 64. So my total number is a whopping 278 but my LDL/HDL ratio is very good.
Wow, now those are impressive numbers!
Wow, now those are impressive numbers!
It was the highest HDL my Doc had ever seen. But a previous physician looking at my total number wanted me on statins. I got a second and more informed opinion.
I had a doc try to put me on statins when I was 22. I said, no thanks I’ll change my diet. The fascination with drugs in this country is a bit sick (spoken from a physician).
Jodi
“Like” 
.
Thanks for the posts, everybody. As I research this, it seems like my ldl is pretty ok, my hdl is fairly high, and my triglycerides are extremely low. Overall, not too bad.
A question for you all: if diet and exercise are kept constant, do cholesterol levels tend to change much over the years? My diet is pretty heavy in both good foods (salmon, whole grains) and not so good foods (eggs, cakes, pies). Thanks again.
I think this thread will take a different course as soon as you start labeling foods as good (whole grains) and not so good (eggs). Not saying these are either good or bad but there has been plenty of discussion on diet and nutrition on this board. As far as changes over time with a fairly constant diet, that is an interesting question. Mine seems to fluctuate year to year but my diet has also changed a fair amount.
Pre-emptive strike here: don’t take offense if you like eggs and cakes!
Stop getting standard cholesterol tests.
Ask for an NMR or a VAP. These are both much more detailed in terms of cholesterol molecule density and size, which is where one can learn more about true cardiovascular risk (in relation to cholesterol). Also the NMR will directly count your LDL, rather than estimating it (which is a false representation so to speak).
Jason
Thanks for the posts, everybody. As I research this, it seems like my ldl is pretty ok, my hdl is fairly high, and my triglycerides are extremely low. Overall, not too bad.
A question for you all: if diet and exercise are kept constant, do cholesterol levels tend to change much over the years? My diet is pretty heavy in both good foods (salmon, whole grains) and not so good foods (eggs, cakes, pies). Thanks again.
those foods you mentioned are relative in terms of health…
farmed salmon good for you?
whole grain bread with monglycerides or soybean oil good for you?
eggs not so good? There are studies showing them being beneficial for you.
cakes/pies: processed, but can be eaten with no adverse effects if using natural ingredients (butter, no margarine, etc) and these calories will be burned off
Indeed, my last test was in April 2012 and was a VAP.
just got back my numbers
Triglycerides 75
HDL 53
LDL 68
.
Are you sure you have that total number correct? Although it seems that LDL + HDL = Total, that is not actually how it works. Note how Bryan’s LDL + HDL was not = to this total?
I think your total number probably is more like 211 if I remember the formula correctly.
Correction, I think my ldl was 105 not 115.
Thanks for mentioning this type of test. My father passed away a few years ago from a cardiac event while on a training ride. He was in great shape at 65 and we were getting ready for a 6 day 500mi bike ride. He had all the regular tests and nothing showed up that concerned the Dr, but the autopsy showed something else. We learned the standard tests for cholesterol were pointless based on my Dad’s outcome. I just had a physical since I’m high risk now, and the NMR and VAP tests are a must have.
Are you sure you have that total number correct? Although it seems that LDL + HDL = Total, that is not actually how it works. Note how Bryan’s LDL + HDL was not = to this total?
I think your total number probably is more like 211 if I remember the formula correctly.
Yep, here’s my VAP:
Thanks for mentioning this type of test. My father passed away a few years ago from a cardiac event while on a training ride. He was in great shape at 65 and we were getting ready for a 6 day 500mi bike ride. He had all the regular tests and nothing showed up that concerned the Dr, but the autopsy showed something else. We learned the standard tests for cholesterol were pointless based on my Dad’s outcome. I just had a physical since I’m high risk now, and the NMR and VAP tests are a must have.
Cholesterol isn’t the only risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
I need to give one of the more specific tests a try, I’ve had steadily increasing numbers over the past couple years, despite eating healthier than ever and beginning to train. I’m 28 years old, and last blood test from a work physical last month had the following results:
HLD - 46
LDL - 190
Triglycerides - 75
Total - 251
Chol/HDLC Ratio - 5.5
Apparently prompted a follow-up call from the clinic advising me to see my GP and get him to put me on statins.
ETA: No history of heart problems in my family