Screwed Up Lipid Profile

[darookie2000]

Hey all,

My office had a health fair the other day and had a guy running cholesterol screenings. I got a test, and it seems that my lipid profile is a bit off. I had a total cholesterol of like 174, but my HDL was only 23 (I'm trying to do this from memory, so the numbers might be a little off). In any event, it freaked me out a bit. I've been slacking on getting blood work done... should I be alarmed? A bit of history: I haven't done AAS, so I'm not really worried about potential liver damage from that. I upped my EFA/CLA to compensate - should that be enough or do I need to schedule a Dr. appointment for early next week?

By the way, I'm 28, 6'2" and about 200 (I just lost like 30 pounds that I gained after my grandfather died a couple years ago and I'm getting back into training again).

Thanks.

[JOEYZ]

Your cholesterol is within normal limits. Less than 200 is considered normal. HDL needs to be somewhere near or above 40 according to newer guidlines. 35-40 mg/dl is normal, but newer studies have shown that above 40 is desirable. More importantly.........what was your triglyceride level and your ratio. It takes two HDL to decrease one LDL. Try taking fish oil and some no flush niacin. I take 4-5 grams of fish oil a day...........normally 1 capsule equals 1 gram. Fish oil, niacin and excersise will help you greatly. You probably want to make sure that you get the "No flush" niacin instead of the regular niacin. Regular niacin seems to causing flushing of the skin in a lot of people. I have never take the no flush version, but I believe LIFTSIRON is an advocate of it. I have included some links below for sites on cholesterol to add to my reply. Good luck.

http://www.cholesterol-reduction.org...olesterol.html

http://www.thehealthpages.com/articles/ar-chole.html

[darookie2000]

I think my TC/HDL ratio was 6.0. I appreciate the other info, I'll go grab some niacin and fish oil today. I think my triglycerides were normal (I'll double check-when I get back into the office - I left the test results there).

[JOEYZ]

Originally Posted by darookie2000

I think my TC/HDL ratio was 6.0. I appreciate the other info, I'll go grab some niacin and fish oil today. I think my triglycerides were normal (I'll double check-when I get back into the office - I left the test results there).

They have shown that fish oil all on its own reduces the risk of heart disease or cardiac death by some insane number like 75%. Somebody, somewhere did a study on eskimos a long time ago before the fish oil and omega-3 craze hit the market. They showed that these people had a significantly lower body fat and a greatly higher lifespan then other people in the same area mainly because their diet consisted of fish. Now fish oil, multivitamins, along with a low fat and low salt diet is key with most heart patients.

[liftsiron]

I use the regular niacin as no-flush niacin is just not as effective for increaseing hdl's the niacin should be taken with an asprin for best effect. My low hdl's have been determined to be genetic by blood samples sent to mayo clinic. It's seems that genetic low hdl's will not increase my risk of heart disease due to lipids as it also contributes to low total cholesterol approx 110 or lower and tryglycerides in the 50's.

[powerlifter]

also pick up some policosonal and take it - you can get some in bulk from beyond a century and cap your own. Works great