Abnormality in my blood work

I can't comment on the

I can't comment on the c-reactive protein level.

 

You should be pleased with the HDL result.   That is the good cholesterol and the higher the better.  Even higher than 61 would be fabulous.

 

This might make you feel better about the HDL result:      http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/hdl-cholesterol/art-20046388

HDL and CR-P

Hi Diana.  HDL is often misnomered as the "good cholesterol".  Regardless, the higher the number the better.  Higher HDL corresponds to a more robust immune system.

That said, the most important number to ascertain is the ratio between your Triglycerides and HDL.  It should be as close to 1:1 as possible.  That is, you want your Triglycerides to be as low as possible and your HDL level to be as high as possible.

The best way to insure that will happen is to cut back on eating carbohydrates.  They raise your Triglycerides.

The C-Reactive Protein blood test cannot determine what may be causing inflammation in your body.  Similarly, it cannot tell you where any inflammation in your body is actually originating from.

Your C-RP level is not too bad considering your history of bad joints, etc.  I would just continue to monitor it over time to see what your general trend turns out to be.

NanoSecond said:

HDL and CR-P

Hi Diana.  HDL is often misnomered as the "good cholesterol".  Regardless, the higher the number the better.  Higher HDL corresponds to a more robust immune system.

That said, the most important number to ascertain is the ratio between your Triglycerides and HDL.  It should be as close to 1:1 as possible.  That is, you want your Triglycerides to be as low as possible and your HDL level to be as high as possible.

The best way to insure that will happen is to cut back on eating carbohydrates.  They raise your Triglycerides.

The C-Reactive Protein blood test cannot determine what may be causing inflammation in your body.  Similarly, it cannot tell you where any inflammation in your body is actually originating from.

Your C-RP level is not too bad considering your history of bad joints, etc.  I would just continue to monitor it over time to see what your general trend turns out to be.

Why is the HDL to triglicerides important?

I have genetically high cholsterol: High LDL and triglycerides, and low HDL.  I know about the LDL/HDL for heart disease, but I had not heard about tryglycerides.

FWIW, my HDL runs between 15 - 18, and my LDL is about 180.  My triglycerides are about 300.  Note that this is on max does of meds, and reasonable diet.

dhs1963 said:

Why is the HDL to triglicerides important?

I have genetically high cholsterol: High LDL and triglycerides, and low HDL.  I know about the LDL/HDL for heart disease, but I had not heard about tryglycerides.

FWIW, my HDL runs between 15 - 18, and my LDL is about 180.  My triglycerides are about 300.  Note that this is on max does of meds, and reasonable diet.

HDL and Trigs

It would be a very long dissertation to explain why the role of triglycerides are far, far more important than the common obsession with total cholesterol number.

So, instead, I will suggest that you might want to read the book, "The Great Cholesterol Con" by the Scottish physician Dr. Malcolm Kendrick.  If you don't want to pay for the book at least check out his blog:

http://drmalcolmkendrick.org/

As I mentioned, triglycerides are a function of the amount of sugar(s) and carbohydrates in your diet.  You may believe your diet is reasonable but your trigs should optimally be below 100, not around 300.  So something is not right.  In addition, your HDL is very low.  Your LDL is considered high but, contrary to what we have been told for decades, it is the HDL number that is far more important.  Meanwhile, the total cholesterol number tells you nothing.  I would not worry if you have geneticallly high total cholesterol (unless you are suffering from the FH).  But I would be very concerned about your HDL and trigs.

I have spent a lot of time trying to figure out what the optimal diet might be for cancer sufferers.  Bottom line: it is too many carbs, not too much cholesterol that is a major problem and at the nexus of numerous "diseases of civilization" including: Type II Diabetes; Obesity; Cardiovascular Disease; Alzheimers; and Cancer.

 

CommuterMom said:

HDL 61 Triglygerides were

HDL 61 Triglygerides were 73

 

Those are very good numbers!

Those are very good numbers!

HDL above "normal" is GOOD - not bad

This is your GOOD cholesterol!   WOuld love to take some of it off your hands!