I've never thought too much about cholesterol (although my mother's is
somewhere in the vicinity of 350).  However, my nurse practitioner just
notified me that my cholesterol level  (220, fasting) .is not "ideal" for
my age (45, female).  I thought that 200 was pretty good, so 220 seemed
not that bad--like maybe a B- (joke).  Does anyone know the percentages of
people on the cholesterol continuum?  Just curious and getting more
curious.

This is my first time in this group.  Hope I am not asking something that
I should have found in a FAQ somewhere.

Thanks.

While 220 is not down to the "desirable" level, it is in the range that
includes an awful lot of people. I did the numbers on our medium-sized
commercial lab a few years ago and found a median cholesterol of 238,
which seems quite high to me, but we have a high admixture of
Hispanics, who as a group tend to run on the high side.

I always thought the concept of "desirable" levels was interesting. For
instance, it would be "desirable" for me to look like Mel Gibson.
However, it ain't gonna happen, so I guess I'll just have to settle for
looking "average."  ;)

Ed Uthman, MD
Pathologist
Houston/Richmond, TX
.

: I've never thought too much about cholesterol (although my mother's is
: somewhere in the vicinity of 350).  However, my nurse practitioner just
: notified me that my cholesterol level  (220, fasting) .is not "ideal" for
: my age (45, female).  I thought that 200 was pretty good, so 220 seemed
: not that bad--like maybe a B- (joke).  Does anyone know the percentages of
: people on the cholesterol continuum?  Just curious and getting more
: curious.
:
: This is my first time in this group.  Hope I am not asking something that
: I should have found in a FAQ somewhere.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

From "Controlling Cholesterol" by Kenneth H. Cooper, M.D., M.P.H.
1989 Edition:

                                   Age 40-59 Females
                                   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
                                ( all values in mg/dl )

                        Total     HDL    LDL    Triglycerides   TC/HDL
                        Chol                                    Ratio

Excellent Protection   186-209   > 69   110-128     73-98       2.0-3.0
25th percentile

Moderate Risk          210-235   69-49  129-155     99-140      3.1-4.0
50th percentile

High Risk              236-259   < 49   156-181    141-190      4.1-4.9
75th percentile

Very High Risk         > 259       -     > 181      > 190        > 4.9
90th percentile

Note: To convert cholesterol mg/dl to mmol/L divide mg/dl by 38.664
      To convert triglycerides mg/dl to mmol/L divide mg/dl by 87.5

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total Cholesterol is only one factor and is only an indicator. All
of the factors which make up the lipids profile have to be examined
and the correct balance is essential.  

For example:

A Total Cholesterol of 145 might seem very low but if it was
accompanied by a very low HDL level of say 28, then the TC/HDL Risk
Ratio would be  145/28  =  5.2  which would be in the Very High Risk
category.  

Single values for cholesterol levels can be totally misleading - a
complete Lipids Profile is essential and careful interpretation of
that profile by an experienced physician.  

Reference:

CONTROLLING CHOLESTEROL
Cooper, Kenneth H.
Bantam Books, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10103
ISBN 0-553-27775-8