Wellness

[lil sophie]

In a recent article in Neurology they found out:

People with the highest levels of HDL cholesterol had a 15 percent higher rate of dementia compared to those in the middle group, the study found. Those with the lowest levels had a 7 percent higher rate of dementia compared to those in the middle group. 

The recommended “healthy” HDL amount is 40 mg/dL in blood. Study subjects’ average was about 54 mg/dL.

I always felt good about my high level of HDL but now I don't.  Can't win.

[piperbay]

I have a high HDL count. I wonder what the connection is for dementia.

[4kitties]

I find all of this conflicting cholesterol information and recommendations so confusing.  I had a bit of a high total count about 18 months ago.  Of course my doc was gung ho on me getting started on a statin.  I wanted to try other options first before having to take a med.

Well, my last test showed my total cholesterol to be much lower and all of my numbers in normal range.  When I read this result I was elated.  I have been working very hard for better results.  Imagine my deep disappointment when my doctor still wants me to take a statin!!!  With all normal numbers???  I have my cholesterol in better numbers than I have in over ten years.  I know I probably need a new doctor as my trust in this one is gone, but easier said than done in my area.

Now this study seems contradictory to what we have always been told.  What the heck???

[SilleeMee]

It's just ONE study. How many people were in that study and what are their demographics?

One important factor about cholesterol is the size of the particles. LDL and HDL come in small and large particle size. Differentiation is key but it's not routinely tested.

[millieshops]

@lil sophie   I'm seldom surprised any more when new statistics give us new information.   I'm in my early 80's.  Last night I chatted with a friend in her late 80's.   I'm not sure why we got to discussing dementia, but I do know we agreed that when we were young, nobody had Alzheimers  nor dementia. 

It wasn't that no one suffered loss of memory, but as our life spans increased and the research went on, the language changed to match what medical science now knew.  So in the 1950's, one of my grandfathers "lost his mind." and in the 2000 teens, one of my sisters had no "short-term memory"; in between, a BIL did suffer Alzheimers!

[kze]

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@millieshops wrote:

@lil sophie   I'm seldom surprised any more when new statistics give us new information.   I'm in my early 80's.  Last night I chatted with a friend in her late 80's.   I'm not sure why we got to discussing dementia, but I do know we agreed that when we were young, nobody had Alzheimers  nor dementia. 

It wasn't that no one suffered loss of memory, but as our life spans increased and the research went on, the language changed to match what medical science now knew.  So in the 1950's, one of my grandfathers "lost his mind." and in the 2000 teens, one of my sisters had no "short-term memory"; in between, a BIL did suffer Alzheimers!

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@millieshops 

When I was young, people that I knew had it but it was called hardening of the arteries.

[SloopJohnB]

It seems nowadays that almost everyone either has someone stricken with Alzheimer's in their family or knows of someone with it.  At the other end of the age timeline, same thing can be said for another A condition.....Autism.  True to form, I have immediate family members with both.

[wagirl]

@lil sophie --now that makes me mad!! I have a family history of high cholesterol so nothing I do. helps lower it and am now on an injectable med  called repatha every 2 weeks--haven't had labs done yet to see wht my numbers are,  but also I have a very high HDL--- in the 70's which is also a family thing---thought that was a good thing ----geez!!!

[millieshops]

@kze Thanks for that reminder because I totally forgot that one, but now that I'm have my own carotids scanned every six months, I really get why we used that expression.    

Way kinder than lots of the descriptions many used!      

[granddi]

@SilleeMee I respect you expertise and enjoy your replies.

I consider these small studies as small clues. Perhaps its a big puzzle piece or maybe not. I don't think it takes us to a panic level. It just takes the problem solving in a different direction.

My HDL has been high (over40) and in my younger years my docs would say you are lucky. I never thought it was lucky.  I have had the enhanced lipid blood work as you mentioned. The blood work was from a private pay doc.  I doubt is the general public could get insurance access to enhanced testing. 

There is more to lipid health than the standard blood most of us receive. Shhh.....it's a secret.