owen

Yeah looked after a couple of student nurses recently and on a pt I didn't belive the machine so got a sphygmomanometer and asked one of the students to give me a reading, their faces were like. They said they have never been taught!!

Hope its a one off and they're continuing the teaching elsewhere.

Souvenir

I blame declining levels of literacy. "BP gizmo" is easier to spell.

Souvenir

Resident hypochondriac here again.

Any experts on cholesterol out there? I'm trying to understand my test results and can't.

owen

For the sake of simplicity, there are two sorts of cholesterol: a 'good' sort called high density lipoprotein (HDL) and a 'bad' sort called low density lipoprotein (LDL).

Cholesterol levels in the blood rise slightly with age, and women generally have a higher HDL-cholesterol level than men.

In the UK, the average total cholesterol level is 5.7mmol/l.

The levels of total cholesterol fall into the following categories:
ideal level: cholesterol level in the blood less than 5mmol/l.
mildly high cholesterol level: between 5 to 6.4mmol/l.
moderately high cholesterol level: between 6.5 to 7.8mmol/l.
very high cholesterol level: above 7.8mmol/l.

However, it is now recognised that the significance of any particular cholesterol level cannot be assessed without taking into account the ratio between good and bad cholesterol (either total-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio or LDL-cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio) or the presence of other cardiovascular risks, such as smoking, diabetes and high blood pressure.

To determine these ratios for yourself, simply divide your total cholesterol and LDL numbers by your HDL number.

Actually thinking about it is your levels measured in mmol/l or mg/dl? It changes the ratio levels I have

Souvenir

Thanks. On that basis, my total cholesterol level is mildly high (5.97mmol).

My LDL is 2.5, which I guess is slightly high. The HDL is well high (3.13). Does that mean that my total is high for largely good reasons?

The other number I have is TC/HDL-C (1.9). No idea what that means.

owen

TC/HDL-C is the total ratio. I think your levels aren't bad, in the medium risk category your LDL should be less than 3.5, HDL less than 5 and the TC/HDL-C less than 5. You'll live

Souvenir

Thanks again. I got the impression that the more HDL the better.

Was there any reason for the doctor to put me on Lipitor, or is he just a bit too quick with his prescription pad?

Tuppence

First you can't find a doctor, and now they won't leave you alone

Hope you are feeling better now they have done all your tests?

Souvenir

I wasn't feeling unwell before I went for the tests. The helpful and much-appreciated information I have got from here makes me realise that there isn't really much physically wrong with me.

I do now find myself looking at some of the slobs around here and thinking: "why are you still alive?".

dbd33

Because they don't worry about their health.

owen

Don't know much about you but its prob the fact your HDL is a bit low. Other factors to consider is family history of heart disease, hypertension, smoking, diabetes and age. We go by the generic name atorvastatin here and is made by the viagra people!!

Atlantic Xpat

Prescribing Lipitor is a fairly common event. I've been taking it since last year with no side effects. I can't remember my cholesterol numbers but they were not where they should be. My doc basically said the Lipitor will give you a 10-20% reduction but what you really need to do Mr Xpat is to lose weight and get fitter. Tell me something I don't know!

Souvenir

Low? Now I'm confused. I though 3.13 was high. Oh well.

boxerdog03

Souv

I really don't think you should get a DR, it would do you more harm than good. Just seeing one has caused you to have high blood pressure and worries about cholesterol and a prescription .

Sharon

owen

Mmmm should've explained it better, sorry. 3.13mmol is under 5mmol and that's ideal but in it's role within the ratio with the bad cholesterol it's a tad low (ie if it were a bit higher, it would cancel out more bad LDL). I hope I'm making sense!

All your figures are OK, I guess you doc is covering all bases. As I said you may fall under another category of 'at risk' of heart disease therefore prescribe the statin. If I remember the only poss side effect something with the stomach, either gas or constipation, can't remember which. Oh and with all statins, your liver has to work. Maybe a good idea to check your LFTs in a year if your liver is prone to failure!!

The bill is in the post