Curious

[Omlette]

My DH's employer are now doing health screenings. Yesterday, they did the cholesterol numbers on people.

My DH's numbers: total: 153, HDL: 33 - did not give them the tri or LDL number. First, I don't understand why his HDL is so low given the amount of excercise that he does - strength training not a lot of cardio.

Then another guy that works with him is 6'6" weigt 381 lbs. Now, this guy is not just fat, but a very big boned dude. Anyway, his chol came back at 100 total and 22 for HDL.

I know these are not good ratios, but the overall numbers just seem really off to me. I think my DH has a chol of about 200 last october. He has not changed his diet or excercise. These numbers realy make me want to send him to get a fasting panel done.

Oh yeah, these were not fasting tests done either.

Any thoughts on these numbers? Am I crazy to think that the test was just wrong?

[bluejay111]

Odds are pretty good that the test was not accurate. I have read articles that said the numbers could be off by 50%.

[maxlharris]

My DH's employer are now doing health screenings. Yesterday, they did the cholesterol numbers on people.

My DH's numbers: total: 153, HDL: 33 - did not give them the tri or LDL number. First, I don't understand why his HDL is so low given the amount of excercise that he does - strength training not a lot of cardio.

Then another guy that works with him is 6'6" weigt 381 lbs. Now, this guy is not just fat, but a very big boned dude. Anyway, his chol came back at 100 total and 22 for HDL.

I know these are not good ratios, but the overall numbers just seem really off to me. I think my DH has a chol of about 200 last october. He has not changed his diet or excercise. These numbers realy make me want to send him to get a fasting panel done.

Oh yeah, these were not fasting tests done either.

Any thoughts on these numbers? Am I crazy to think that the test was just wrong?
In general, most docs will not do a non-fasting blood cholesterol test. That has to mean something, if you know nothing else. I am not going to claim to know the why or what would happen, but given the fact that every doc I've had would not do a cholesterol test without a fast, I can infer that results from one are not worth running.

If you are concerned (there doesn't seem to be reason to, regardless of whether it's at 200 or 153), you should have him do a fasting panel.

[Omlette]

My only concern would be that his HDL is 33. Much too low.

I just think the test is wrong.

[Ammy]

you know...heredity plays SUCH a big part in the numbers. Even a large big-boned person that is eating HIGH carbs can have GREAT cholesterol.

THese are mine from last October at my current weight (209, BIG boned size 14)...
CHOLESTEROL 114<200- mg/dl
TRIGLYCERIDE 31<200- mg/dl
HDL 48>35- mg/dl
LDL, CALC. 60 - mg/dl

When I was 100lbs heavier, the numbers were all up a little, but still all in great ranges.

I'm not saying the test were accurate at your DH work, but I'm just saying they are possible.

(and looking at this...I think I need to try and raise my HDL?? Will have to figure out how...?)

[Omlette]

True.

Mine has always run on the higher side.

[Ammy]

(and looking at this...I think I need to try and raise my HDL?? Will have to figure out how...?)

Well, in my searching it says 40-60 is optimal...so if the HDL is set to "scrape" cholesterol from arteries, and I don't have all that much to scrape (since my total is 114), maybe 48 is GREAT and I don't have try to increase it...????

[Omlette]

Well, in my searching it says 40-60 is optimal...so if the HDL is set to "scrape" cholesterol from arteries, and I don't have all that much to scrape (since my total is 114), maybe 48 is GREAT and I don't have try to increase it...????

Everything I found said that higher than 50 is optimal for women. You are really close tho. Of course, your ratio is great.

[Belfrybat]

The fact your DH's company only provided the total and HDL probably means they are using the in-office type machine or the mail-in cards. They both are notoriously inaccurate, so I wouldn't worry too much about the low HDL readings. Use it as a rough guide only. There are things he can do to help raise HDL -- here's a couple of site to get you started:
http://heartdisease.about.com/cs/cholesterol/a/raiseHDL.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hdl-cholesterol/CL00030