Resolved question:
I have a question in regards to my blood test done at my physical last week. For the record I am a 32 year old male, 6'2" 190lbs. I exercise 5 times per week, cardio primarily. Two years ago I was diagnosed with hypertension which is controlled with 5mg lisinopril daily. My question is in regards to my cholesterol. For two years (documented, but longer per my memory) my total cholesterol has run about 198-220, ldl 100-130, hdl 45-55 and triglycerides from 75-155. On my blood test last week my ldl came back at 88 (with hdl and trig in the normal range). I am not on cholesterol medicine and had not really done anything different to lower the cholesterol other than I started eating an avacado every day. About 5 days later I went back on my own to have it checked again and I got almost the exact same result. I am not concerned about the number, so much as the large change that is out of my typical range. Can this indicate a health issue? If so, what sort of doctor would evaluate? My family doctor does not seem too concerned. Thanks
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Family Physician-GP
Hello,
Thank you for choosing DoctorSpring.
Your Cholesterol values are within normal range and there is nothing to worry about it. LDL levels below 100mg/dl are optimal. The fact that you repeated the test and the result was the same is a good thing. You would need to worry if your HDL levels dropped as HDL is 'good cholesterol, and LDL is 'bad cholesterol'.
The drop in the LDL levels without any diet changes or medications is normal. Infact the LDL level varies a lot in a single day itself. The Cholesterol mechanism is a dynamic process and it depends a lot on factors ranging from the type of meal to the external temperature. So it is not surprising to see changes is Cholesterol levels and infact it says the metabolism is normal.
Lab measurements can also have +/-10 erro margin. Either Way this is NOT a concern at all. Unlikely that avacado did the trick. Anyway keep up with the healthy habits.
Hope this helps
Feel free to ask followups
Thank you
Dr. Sebastian,
Thank you for your comments. My intial reaction to an ldl of 88 was that it is wonderful, but then I thought it was too good to be true. I just want to make sure that a 40% drop from my normal ldl wasnt indicative of an underlying health issue. I know a patient with no medical training should not try to research things themselves but when I googled this there wasnt much to find other than the occassional mentioned of "an undiagnosed cancer." For the record, my other blood tests were normal (CBC, differential, metabolic, thyroid, liver, urine) and overall I feel pretty good. I know I am not mentioning much new, but would there be any additional tests or follow ups that you would recommend? Thanks again and that should do it for my questions.
Hello,
I understand what you probably went through. But like I said you have nothing to worry.
Your test result is good. There are no additional follow up tests required. As I said cholesterol levels are supposed to vary a lot even with in a day. (That is the reason why we do a fasting cholesterol test - atleast to bring some unity)
I would recommend that you repeat your tests in a years time as a yearly check up.
Continue with your healthy lifestyle.
Wishing you good health.
Thankyou