Wellness

[Runner26]

Has anyone experienced significant decrease or increase in their total cholesterol without any lifestyle changes?

In late 2019 my total cholesterol was 277.

In June 2021 my total cholesterol was 344.

In January 2022 my total cholesterol was 374.

October 2022 my total cholesterol was 264.

I'm not on any medication and do not take any vitamins/supplements.

I'm curious how my readings could fluctuate so much and my eating habits haven't changed (carbs and sugar) and haven't made any lifestyle changes. 

Any thoughts?

[SeaMaiden]

@Runner26  What is your diet like?

[ellaphant]

Ask your doctor. No one else's opinion matters.

[SilleeMee]

Total cholesterol numbers aren't what is important. There needs to be a breakdown of the total into LDL and HDL plus a risk factor assessment also needs to be considered most of all. Discuss your cholesterol level with your doctor and then that way you'll understand what it means.

[Runner26]

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@ellaphant wrote:

Ask your doctor. No one else's opinion matters.

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Of course other people's opnion matter in that I'm asking for thoughts.

[Runner26]

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@SilleeMee wrote:

Total cholesterol numbers aren't what is important. There needs to be a breakdown of the total into LDL and HDL plus a risk factor assessment also needs to be considered most of all. Discuss your cholesterol level with your doctor and then that way you'll understand what it means.

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I'm actually not worried about my cholesterol level; I mostly am curious if anyone else have experienced this. I know about the good cholesterol, bad cholesterol, etc. Thanks for your input.

[Runner26]

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@SeaMaiden wrote:

@Runner26  What is your diet like?

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My diet's unhealthy (sweets, carbs, more sweets, pizza, chips). I KNOW why my cholesterol is high; I have no idea though how how cholesterol went from 374 to 264 without any change on my part.

[ellaphant]

Your numbers are that high and your doctor has never talked to you about them? If so, I see another doctor. IMO , since you're asking.

[SilleeMee]

There are many things which can cause fluctuations in your lipid profile. Some of them include things like dehydration, exercise, diet, idiopathic seasonal fluctuations and even where you have your blood tested can vary between labs.

[Runner26]

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@ellaphant wrote:

Your numbers are that high and your doctor has never talked to you about them? If so, I see another doctor. IMO , since you're asking.

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Why do you think my doctor didn't discuss my cholesterol with me? I'm not on medication because using ASCVD risk calculator my risk is very low 1.3? Carotid ultrasound didn't show plaque.