• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

cholestral

Hi hfjl,

Unless you can find a meter which will tell you the constituent parts of your total cholestorol, i.e. HDL, LDL, VLDL and triglcerides, you'd be wasting your money. A total cholestorol reading on its own is pretty meaningless to be honest.

For the great majority of people, blood sugar levels are far more important than cholestorol. For one thing, if blood glucose levels are normal and stable, cholestorol will look after itself.

All the best,

fergus
 
i personally wouldnt get one, my diabetic clinic checks mine every 6 mnths :D
 
Hi Tia,

LDL stands for low density lipoprotein. This is the type of cholesterol which deposits fats on the walls of your arteries. Levels rise when insulin levels rise.

HDL stands for high density lipoprotein. This acts by removing fats from the bloodstream, back to the liver for disposal. It is therfore protective against heart disease. Levels increase when insulin levels are low.

VLDL stands for very low density liporotein. This transports triglycerides around the body, which are the most serious risk to cardiac health. Triglcerides are produced by the liver in response to glucose and insulin.

All these levels ought to be checked as part of your clinic blood test. Be sure to ask for them!

All the best,

fergus
 
Back
Top