For those of you with high cholesterol, what was your highest total number?

I think we just got messed up results from the lab that's why I need to know.

By Debbie on Monday, November 8, 2004 - 01:10 pm:

I have high cholesterol. It runs in our family. The highest mine has ever been was 264. Now, my dad's has been as high as 282.

By Anonymous on Monday, November 8, 2004 - 02:06 pm:

Well the results dh just got back were 360!!! Mine is 165, so his just has to be wrong because he is extremely active and eats quite healthy. Needless to say, we are both freaking out over these results.

By Trina~moderator on Monday, November 8, 2004 - 02:13 pm:

Did he fast before the test? If not, that makes a big difference. To get an accurate result a patient is supposed to fast for so many hours.

By Cat on Monday, November 8, 2004 - 02:16 pm:

My mom's was 450 when I was in high school. Even with diet it was high and she's been on meds for years now. Even those who eat healthy could have high colesterol. Maybe he should get tested again.

By Happynerdmom on Monday, November 8, 2004 - 02:21 pm:

I don't remember the exact number, but I remember my fil's being over 300. The doctor will probably do another test following a fast, if he didn't do that the first time, to double check the results.

By Anonymous on Monday, November 8, 2004 - 02:23 pm:

No, he did not fast. It was for a life insurance policy and he didn't realize he was supposed to fast beforehand. I am waiting for our own dr to call now so I can schedule an appointment for him.

By Kay on Monday, November 8, 2004 - 03:32 pm:

The overnight fasting can make a big difference in the results. With fasting, mine is as high as 275, and I weigh just a little over 100 lbs. My father had a small frame, and one of his reports came in years ago at 321 - I really have to watch mine...genetics have a lot to do with it. I'm trying to avoid having to take medication for it.

Hopefully, your dh's test will come back in a better range after a true test.

By Debbie on Monday, November 8, 2004 - 03:43 pm:

I would suggest having your dh go to his regular doctor and retake the test. Make sure he does fast before he takes it. I found out I had high cholesterol about 8 years ago. When I found out I had high cholesterol, I was not over weight and I ate pretty healthy. After mine came back high, I did make a few changes to my diet and I started exercising more. I have been able to keep mine at around 200-210. High cholesterol can be hereditary, like in my case. Just because your dh eats healthy and is active, he can still have it. His tests does seem rather high, this could be because he didn't fast before he took the test.

By Anonymous on Monday, November 8, 2004 - 03:50 pm:

I am freaking out over this, and I am sure he is as well. This is someone who rides his bike for 100 miles on a regular weekend basis FOR FUN - he races mountain bikes, he rides his mountain bike every single day - in the rain and snow even, until the snow gets to deep. Ok, most of you will know who I am but I am still going anon for his privacy. I am trying to stay calm for him but AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!! I am very worried it is hereditary as he is adopted and we have no family history. He goes back to the doctor on Friday.

By Dawnk777 on Monday, November 8, 2004 - 05:15 pm:

I just had one done, last week and it was 267. I had one done 1-1/2 years ago and it was 289, so it's actually better. (slightly.)

By Kaye on Monday, November 8, 2004 - 05:32 pm:

You know there is that commercial that has all those people that look alike and then it shows cholestoral numbers and one blows the other out of the water. Even the healthiest of people can and do have high chol. The best thing to do is get it rechecked before you panic, the lab could have made a mistake, you could be getting someone elses numbers. Good luck!

By Karen~moderator on Monday, November 8, 2004 - 10:43 pm:

Ditto Kaye. Some people run high cholesterol even though they have excellent diet and exercise habits. That's often a hereditary thing, and can be treated with medication.

My DH is on a couple of cholesterol lowering meds since his heart attack 4 years ago. He also takes Fish Oil daily for it too.

I agree, get retested when he's fasting, THEN worry about the results.

By Bobbie~moderatr on Tuesday, November 9, 2004 - 01:14 am:

I will tell you, don't count your chickens before they are hatched because.... DH tested a couple years back and his was really high. Doctor had the nurse call him and tell him to fast so he could retake it. The second came back still high but not nearly as high. IF DH ate anything with in hours of the test it will be off. Don't panic until you have to. Right now, you need to get that second opinion and try to relax.

People of indian decent run high cholesterol, by the way. It is generic. I know this may not apply to you but I thought I would throw that out there.

By Anonymous on Wednesday, November 10, 2004 - 01:58 pm:

Please think of him tomorrow. He is getting rechecked.