Question 1

do i need to fast before getting my ldl cholesterol checked?

Accepted Answer

YES, FAST >12 hours: To get an accurate LDL cholesterol it is best to fast at least 12 hours.  Drinking water is ok and necessary. Our office also allows 'black coffee' (no cream/sugar)  hope that helps!

Question 2

i had to get cholesterol rechecked because i have a level of 192 ldl. i was supposed to fast and i forgot i drank a half cup of black tea with sugar this morning. will that affect my results?

Accepted Answer

Maybe No or Slightly: Numbers are just numbers. Without the whole picture, such as why was labwork done, numbers usually cannot tell much. One's primary care doctor can best interpret cholesterol results because that doctor knows the whole picture. In general, we want patients to fast before cholesterol or blood sugar tests. However, a half cup of tea with sugar should not make much of a difference in results at all.

Question 3

two months back i had normal cholesterol levels. ldl was 60. today when i checked ldl is 210. how is this possible? can it be a miscalculation?

Accepted Answer

Fasting vs. not: LDL is very sensitive not only to fasting while the sample is taking, but how long the fasting 6 hours, vs. 8 hours, vs. 12 hours could make a difference in the level.
second it is so sensitive the kind of meal you had before the test could affect the level.
if you want to compare apple to apple.
eat similar meal. fast for 12 hours every time, and do it at the same labs.

Question 4

my cholesterol is 265, hdl 171, ldl 86.  can hdl get too high?

Accepted Answer

HIGH HDL=Good!: If you Hdl is high, that is good, and can decrease your overall risk for heart disease.  our LDL as noted is stable at 86, but now there is new data to suggest you should get a risk calculation based on some other factors.  See your dr. for a good eval and discussion as to whether you need any medications, etc.

Question 5

do i have to see a specialist to get a ldl cholesterol ordered?

Accepted Answer

No: Your primary provider will be able to evaluate if you need to be screened for high cholesterol and can then order the appropriate blood tests for youother tests, as needed, including a total cholesterol, HDL (good cholesterol), LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides (fat).  Fasting test gives more accurate read of tg and ldl.  May get other tests as well, e.g. Cardiac CRP (inflammatory marker).

Question 6

how to get food with low calories and low ldl cholesterol?

Accepted Answer

These go together: The key to low LDL is maintaining normal body weight with calorie restriction and daily exercise. Fruits and vegetable are low in calories and will lower your ldl. If you have diabetes, keeping blood sugar in check will help greatly. Avoid animal fats, butter, whole milk and soft cheeses which are caloric. Use nonfat milk and yogurt, whole grains, legumes, nuts, & olive oil in small amts.

Question 7

what can i do if my cholesterol test resulted high: ldl 143.4, hdl 80.5, cholesterol 202, should i get worried?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Your LDL is little high (risk is increased) but your HDL ("good" cholesterol) is extremely high (risk is reduced). Moreover, your total cholesterol to HDL ratio is 1.75 - this is extremely favorable. If other risk factors are ok (no hx  of heart attack, diabetes, non-smoker, normal bp), i would consider this to be highly favorable and certainly would not recommend treatment with medication.

Question 8

hi. i recently did my cholesterol test my ldl is 3.94
hdl 0.99
total 5.29. what medicine can i take to.get my cholesterol to the appropriate level?

Accepted Answer

Agree w/ Dr Nathanie: Your total cholesterol and LDL are high. As Dr. Nathaniel wrote, the initial step is ALWAYS an appropriate low fat diet. Sometimes it is possible to get the cholesterol and LDL levels to normal with a good diet and exercise. Medications and their known side effects could be avoided.

Question 9

i am getting 230-245 cholesterol and 160-170 ldl in tests for a few years. i am fairly active, not eating fast food/processed. what may cause it?bmi20

Accepted Answer

Some people: "make their own cholesterol" This is sometimes due to "Metabolic Syndrome" ( overweight, Type II Diabetes, and increased LDL and Total Cholesterol. Time to see your GP for some testing!  Continue the healthy habits you describe...it helps but sometimes needs an "assist" with medications now available! Hope this help[s!

Dr Z

Question 10

i've been told my cholesterol is 125, but i have a good ratio of hdl to ldl. should i get a particle size test to check for ldl and a c reactivpro tes?

Accepted Answer

If you want to,,,: You have a very good total cholesterol and you say you have a good hdl/ldl ratio, which means your LDL can't be very high and would almost definitely be within the lowest range, so this is highly unlikely to be a problem for you.  You're also older with this, making it even less of a problem.  You might, therefore want to save it for later in life unless you just want to know now.  Good luck.

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Doctor answers about:

Do I need to fast before getting my LDL cholesterol checked

A member asked:

Do i need to fast before getting my ldl cholesterol checked?

A member asked:

I had to get cholesterol rechecked because i have a level of 192 ldl. i was supposed to fast and i forgot i drank a half cup of black tea with sugar this morning. will that affect my results?

A member asked:

Two months back i had normal cholesterol levels. ldl was 60. today when i checked ldl is 210. how is this possible? can it be a miscalculation?

A member asked:

My cholesterol is 265, hdl 171, ldl 86. can hdl get too high?

A member asked:

Do i have to see a specialist to get a ldl cholesterol ordered?

A member asked:

How to get food with low calories and low ldl cholesterol?

A member asked:

What can i do if my cholesterol test resulted high: ldl 143.4, hdl 80.5, cholesterol 202, should i get worried?

A member asked:

Hi. i recently did my cholesterol test my ldl is 3.94 hdl 0.99 total 5.29. what medicine can i take to.get my cholesterol to the appropriate level?

A member asked:

I am getting 230-245 cholesterol and 160-170 ldl in tests for a few years. i am fairly active, not eating fast food/processed. what may cause it?bmi20

A member asked:

I've been told my cholesterol is 125, but i have a good ratio of hdl to ldl. should i get a particle size test to check for ldl and a c reactivpro tes?

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