Interpreting Cholesterol Test results

[m100]

Is there anywhere online with an outline of what is an acceptable range for each of the results reported by a cholesterol test? I've searched lots and found nothing definitive!

The printout I got from my last test shows five values and only one has a limit figure

Serum Cholesterol 5.3mmol/L
Serum HDL cholesterol level 1.1 mmol/L
Serum Trigylicerides 2.1mmol/L (<2.3)
Total Cholesterol:HDL ratio 4.8
Serum LDL cholesterol level 3.3 mmol/L

 

[Dennis]

Hi m,

You might find these helpful. The first gives general info about cholesterol levels and the balance between LDL and HDL. The second gives more info on HDL, and the third on trigs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cholesterol
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_density_lipoprotein
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triglycerides

 

[Trinkwasser]

IMO HDL is a bit low, LDL is slightly high, trigs are fairly high.

The crucial ratio of trigs/HDL needs to be below 1.3, yours is nearly 2. This is a marker for insulin resistance and potentially for cardiovascular disease (small LDL particle size). In all probability you could bias these into a better set of readings by reducing carbs and adding more saturated fats and exercise (and possibly red wine). Other medications are available but I'd go the diet route first, you might amaze yourself.

 

[m100]

Only just found this thread again and so a belated thanks for the replies! It's now three months on and I've just been retested.

Serum Cholesterol reduced from 5.3 to 4.8mmol/L
Serum HDL cholesterol level increased from 1.1 to 1.4 mmol/L
Serum Trigylicerides reduced from 2.1 to 0.8 mmol/L
Total Cholesterol:HDL ratio reduced from 4.8 to 3.4
Serum LDL cholesterol level reduced from 3.3 to 3.1 mmol/L

Serum ALT level reduced from 58 to 27
The trigs/HDL ratio was 1.9 now it's 0.57
HBA1c down from 7.0% to 5.5%
Blood pressure down from 135/90 to 120/72
17kg weight loss over past 4 months, BMI in high 20's rather than mid 30's, trousers now regularly falling down and nothing really fits me any more.
Waking Bg usually around 5.0, 2 hour post prandial usually mid to high 6's.

All done with no drugs - I'm a very recently diagnosed T2 and diet controlled, just changed to slightly more careful eating with smaller portions, and a bit more exercise.

 

[Sid Bonkers]

Is there anywhere online with an outline of what is an acceptable range for each of the results reported by a cholesterol test?

These are the 'in range' figures taken from my last blood test.

HB A1c.................4.0 to 6.0 expressed as % mmol/L
IFCC HB A1c...........20 to 42 mmol/mol

Cholesterol............3.7 to 5.2 mmol/L
Trigyceride..............0 to 2.3 mmol/L
HDL.......................should be greater than 0.9 mmol/L
LDL.......................0 to 4.0


Hope this helps