Cholesterol levels - Vital Hormone Clinic

What are cholesterol levels?

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is found in all cells of the body. Your body needs some cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help you digest foods. Your body makes all the cholesterol it needs. However, cholesterol also comes from the foods you eat.

If you have too much cholesterol in your blood, it can join with other substances in the blood to build up in the inner walls of your blood vessels. This buildup is called plaque. The plaque can narrow your blood vessels or even block them. This can cause heart disease and other health problems.

There are a few different kinds of cholesterol:

• LDL cholesterol - This is the "bad" cholesterol that can build up in your blood vessels. You want your LDL to be low.
• HDL cholesterol - This is the "good" cholesterol that carries cholesterol from other parts of your body back to your liver. You want your HDL to be high.
• Triglycerides - This is a form of fat in your blood. You want your triglyceride level to be low.

When you get your cholesterol tested, your doctor will give you a lipid profile. This is a blood test that measures your:

• Total cholesterol
• LDL cholesterol
• HDL cholesterol
• Triglycerides

Your doctor will help you understand what your test results mean and if you need to lower your cholesterol. In general, healthy lipid levels are:

• Total cholesterol: less than 200 mg/dL
• LDL cholesterol: less than 100 mg/dL
• HDL cholesterol: 60 mg/dL or higher
• Triglycerides: less than 150 mg/dL

If you need to lower your cholesterol, your doctor may prescribe medication. But there are also lots of lifestyle changes you can make:

• Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
• Choose lean protein sources
• Limit saturated fats and trans fats
• Lose extra weight
• Get regular exercise
• Take supplements like fish oil

The medical professionals at Vital Hormone Clinic can provide personalized care to help you understand your cholesterol levels and take steps to optimize them. Contact us today to learn more and schedule your first appointment!