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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Should Be Done To Lower HDL Level?

I am a 56 year old female. My total cholesterol is 221. My HDL is 91 and my LDL is 121. My triglycerides :45. Should I worry about being above 200 total cholesterol? Also, how do I lower my HDL? I do not eat very much red meat, (mostly chicken, and fish) and I exercise at least an hour and 15 minutes every day (weight lifting and cardio) I am 5'1 3/4, and weigh 107 lbs.
Mon, 13 Apr 2015
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Dietitian & Nutritionist,  's  Response
I see what you are saying - you have a very good HDL level so one would not think that a 221 cholesterol reading could be bad for your heart. The doctor looks intently at your LDL. You do not want to reduce the HDL, that is the protein fraction that takes the cholesterol out of the bloodstream so it doesn't form a plaque. However, the LDL should be below 100 with no risk factors and 70 if risk factors present. Lowering the LDLs require a reduction in saturated and trans fat, increase in oat or psyllium fiber - and, to make it easier, the most recommended diet is the DASH diet and you can download it to your computer and print it out. It may be an older diet but it has a lot of helpful tips. Also, taking omega 2 fatty acid if you do not eat fish, increase your protein by 10% while decreasing carbs by 10% (especial from muffins, sugary food, juice,) and that should help lower lDL. Good luck.
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What Should Be Done To Lower HDL Level?

I see what you are saying - you have a very good HDL level so one would not think that a 221 cholesterol reading could be bad for your heart. The doctor looks intently at your LDL. You do not want to reduce the HDL, that is the protein fraction that takes the cholesterol out of the bloodstream so it doesn t form a plaque. However, the LDL should be below 100 with no risk factors and 70 if risk factors present. Lowering the LDLs require a reduction in saturated and trans fat, increase in oat or psyllium fiber - and, to make it easier, the most recommended diet is the DASH diet and you can download it to your computer and print it out. It may be an older diet but it has a lot of helpful tips. Also, taking omega 2 fatty acid if you do not eat fish, increase your protein by 10% while decreasing carbs by 10% (especial from muffins, sugary food, juice,) and that should help lower lDL. Good luck.