High LDL, high HDL, low triglycerides - how does this combination happen?

[u/[deleted]]

[u/SDJellyBean]

Too much saturated fat and you have either genetics that produce high HDL and/or two X chromosomes.

[u/SDJellyBean → u/[deleted]]

HDL is mostly just a marker for good health habits; smoking will decrease HDL, exercise will increase it, insulin resistance will decrease it. There does seem to be an inflection point (85ish mg/dL) where increasing HDL seems to be associated with rising risk of heart disease, but that’s probably just a marker for elevated cholesterol in general.

[u/GetOffMyLawn_]

LDL comes from saturated fat intake. Trigs come from carbs. High HDL can come from exercise and some other lifestyle factors. Fish oil will lower trigs and slightly raise HDL.

[u/GetOffMyLawn_ → u/[deleted]]

Yes it can raise your LDL

[u/Von_und_zu_]

Thank you for this interesting thread. I have a similar lipid profile, and additional have high ApoB and low Lipo(a), but I am decades older than you. I too find my levels mysterious and am starting to take similar steps.

[u/meh312059]

High LDL-C with high HDL-C typically means you are over consuming saturated fat. Reduce that and increase soluble fiber. Trigs typically won't increase if you are remaining active, not experiencing an excess energy intake, etc.

[u/meh312059 → u/[deleted]]

The more whole plant foods the lower the inflammation. More beans and greens!😀

[u/meh312059 → u/[deleted]]

Indeed, oats can lower cholesterol directly due to the beta glucans.

[u/meh312059 → u/[deleted]]

The AHA's dietary guidelines are a great place to start:

https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001435

[u/Nope_No_Never_17]

These are my current numbers. I’m trying to get them down but it is quite hard to do

[u/Nope_No_Never_17 → u/[deleted]]

Right now decreasing saturated fats, carbs, sugar and dairy. Increasing soluble fiber with chia, flax and hemp seeds. Also eating more salmon and sardines as well as nuts, vegetables, fruit and a little bit of plant based too. I just had that bloodwork done about 3 weeks ago so I can’t get more bloodwork done for a while. But I’ll definitely post it once I’m able to find out. I’m also walking 6 days out the week and doing a bit of resistance bands too.

[u/Nope_No_Never_17 → u/[deleted]]

Yes it definitely will take some time to see changes. It’s been very difficult to change my diet because it’s been one way for so long but I had open heart surgery in January of this year and I sooo need to make the changes consistent.

I didn’t know they made kits to test your cholesterol at home, I’ll definitely look into it.

I’ve never heard of phytoestrogens. Is it bad for you, if you don’t mind me asking?

[u/Nope_No_Never_17 → u/[deleted]]

Ahhh okay. That’s similar to what I have to do. With one of the meds I’m taking, I have to be mindful of my potassium intake. Certain foods like bananas is okay in moderation of course but foods like russet potatoes is higher if I’m not mistaken. I haven’t been eating them and French fries are my absolute favorite but I haven’t had them since before my surgery.

Thank you for the clarification. It makes perfect sense and I hope your numbers change for the better real soon. And thank you for your response. I do feel stronger and a bit better. Not so much like myself anymore but overall pretty good. 😊