Why is my cholesterol so high and I am not overweight?

Question

A few years ago I was 5'5" and 125lbs w/ a total cholsteral of 180. Now a few years later I am 5'5" 143lbs w/ a total cholsteral of 240!
I do not smoke, eat very well, and the only difference is that I exercised on a regular basis when I was 125lbs. Could this really be the cause of my jump in cholsteral??? That and the extra 18lbs? I mean I am techinally not overweight. Actually, I was very thin then.

Answer 1

may be u have family history if u do, no matter how fit u are it always go high check with ur doctor to maintain it and how old r u?

Answer 2

I am not sure that you have actually asked a question, you have listed what has happened to your husband, but not really said what you want to know? You have not given your husbands age, medical history or current medication history if there is one, nor said if he smoke, which would be a disaster and if he does should be the first thing to go. He appears from what you have said to have 3 risk factors:- Overweight, though you don't give the level. Raised blood pressure. Raised cholesterol. There are a number of things he can try and do to help himself, though they are unlikely to result in him avoiding medication if the problems are well established. They are all pretty obvious lifestyle changes. Moderate regular exercise 5 days a week, within the limitations currently imposed by his weight and his asthma. This would help him lose weight, it also lowers blood pressure and increases HDL cholesterol, the good cholesterol. A weight reduction diet, low in animal fats, this wold help weight loss, which helps lower blood pressure and help lower cholesterol. It would also reduce his future risk of diabetes, which is the next stage in what is often called 'the metabolic syndrome'. ( obesity, hypertension,hypercholesterolaemia, diabetes and heart disease, making up a composite disease entity.) Exercise would also help his asthma, make him fitter and more able to do more exercise and as an independent positive factor increase his lifespan. It is also a good idea to reduce salt intake. It is a bit of a tall order to get all these things right, but if you do the odds move in your favour!

Answer 3

At 5'5",and 125lbs is okay. If you feel good. My daughter is 5'9" and 125lbs, a little on the slender side. 143lbs is overweight. Cholesterol level is not only determined by the kinds of foods you eat but also from heredity. I know a lot of skinny people with high cholesterol. Their body don't metabolize it as good.

Exercise helps to keep it low. Exercise also keeps your blood pressure normal. As high cholesterol and hypertension go hand in hand. Also the fact that you are a bit older; where the metabolic rate slows down. The mortality rate for overweight people is higher than underweight.

My younger sister is shorter, lighter than me. But her blood pressure and cholesterol level is high. She's now on anti cholesterol drug maintenance. Moreover, I advised her to correct her diet of high fats. High cholesterol takes about 20 yrs to develop. You have to examine if the LDL is high because that's the bad cholesterol. High HDL is good as they are the good guys. Total cholesterol of 240 is high. Normal is below 200.

Hypertension runs in our family. I'm on hypertensive meds for maintenance. Recently I took a treadmill test,my blood pressure soared up. The cardiologist pointed out my overweight. for that age range and height. My father has hypertension and heart problems. But his cholesterol level is within normal . He ate a lot of vegetables. My older brother , on the other hand,had high cholesterol.and is hypertensive. He underwent 5 vessel AbG or cabbage. ( open hert surgery) and a valve replacement.(AVR-aortic valve replacement)

Thereby diet and heredity plays an impt part with high cholesterol problems. Exercise and adjustment of your diet is impt. Avoid too much fast foods and restaurant foods. Avoid trans fat Avoid animal fats.Drink a lot of water about 8-10 glasses a day. Drink a lot of water before eating. This fills you up. Eat small portions. . Lose weight.. Avoid stress. Exercise regularly.

You'll see the dramatic changes once you address these problems. If not, go to the doctor to get anti-cholesterol drugs such as Lipitor, Zocor, Mevocor ( these drugs can affect your liver.So the dr. always follow it up with your liver functions tests) or the new drug, Crestor.


In your case, I suspect more likely than not, your diet is the culprit. Sorry for the lengthy reply. Just wanted to be thorough. If I help you,vote my answer as the best. ,

Answer 4

You can be very thin and have high cholesterol. Sometimes, as in my case, it is genetic. I am 5'4", 110 pounds, and I have a 220 cholesterol. My parents have high cholesterol as well. Here is the other shocker.........I am a personal trainer in a fitness center, I work out everyday, I am a nutritionist who does not eat much meat (NEVER red meat), or saturated fat, or trans fat. SO ya never know!!

To answer you, exercise plays a BIG role in cholesterol. It will raise your HDL "good cholesterol" and lower your LDL "bad cholesterol." That could be why you have seen the increase. Also, are you eating a lot of trans fat and saturated fat? That makes your cholesterol high as well. Focus on eating lots of soluble fiber (oatmeal! and fruit) and lowering your intake of fatty meats, trans fat (in packaged foods and snack foods--read labels), saturated fat, and high cholesterol food items (egg yolk, liver, shrimp etc.).

Answer 5

cholesterol can be high or very high regardless of what you eat or exercise etc. 240 is more than normal, keep it under 200 with LDL less than 100. If you completely stop all fat consumption you can lower it by maximum 15% or so. you need to see your doctor, have the entire lipid panel checked fasting. you will most likely need to go on a ststin like lipitor or zocor.

dont listen to people who will try to convince you its all diet related, its not.

Answer 6

Now adays, people who are of the right weight are also said to have high cholesterol. Its all related to the food we eat, I think. I was told psyllium - a herb,is regarded as the best source of heart healthy soluble fiber. Psyllium fiber is known to have the ability to lower cholesterol level.

Answer 7

Its probably more genetic than anything. I'm skeptical about all the fuss over cholesterol. You can have high cholesterol when its the good kind too.

Answer 8

Your weight doesn't have much to do with cholesterol level. Exercising does. Get back to work.

Good luck and Godspeed.

Answer 9

Cholestoral metabolism is inherited. You have one of the four groups of congenital hyperlipemias. Weight or diet play no part. Get to a doctor and on a cholesterol lowering drug. The risk of heart attack or stroke is real.

Answer 10

I have the same problem. I'm 5'9, 150lb, in exellent health and I eat a good diet. Mine is that 255 and I'm sick of fighting it and feeling quilty when I eat a cheeseburger, so I'm going to go on medication for it. I think mine is going up naturally with age. Good luck.

Answer 11

Did you FAST before you had the cholesterol blood test? Fasting for the test makes a difference.

Start excerising again!

Read info here: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=532

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/chol/chol_tlc.htm