Paging Dr Tommy Mac

[Rider]

... or anyone else in the medical profession.

So for my 40th I had a full physical and I got the results of my blood test back. The Dr called me with a concern. My Total Cholesterol is 126 but my HDL is only 25. So because my HDL is so low he wants me to take Niacin to raise my HDL. If my total Cholesterol is low, who gives a shit what my HDL is? Do I really need to take some fucking pill to raise my HDL or is he just getting a kickback from the drug company for pushing unnecessary pills?

The last time I had my Cholesterol checked (about 15+ years ago) it was 105.

[Particle Man]

You want your HDL higher - from what I've read, lower HDL can lead to more incidence of heart disease. HDL supposedly carries cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it's processed for expulsion from the body.

[Rider]

Originally Posted by Particle Man

You want your HDL higher - from what I've read, lower HDL can lead to more incidence of heart disease. HDL supposedly carries cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it's processed for expulsion from the body.

Yeah but if my total is low who really cares? Does it really matter that much?

[tommymac]

Originally Posted by Rider

Yeah but if my total is low who really cares? Does it really matter that much?

it can, but its not something I would loose sleep over. All I would say 8is use a regular multivitamin that will give all the niacin you need.

[ontwo]

You can also get Niacin OTC

[tommymac]

You def want the HDL higher, also was this a fasting cholesterol test?

Usualy exercise and an active lifestyle will keep it a little higher which is good. And if thats all thats wrong yuore prety damn good. With the low cholesterol #'s you have its not as concerning a sif it were say 300.

[Rider]

Originally Posted by tommymac

You def want the HDL higher, also was this a fasting cholesterol test?

Usualy exercise and an active lifestyle will keep it a little higher which is good. And if thats all thats wrong yuore prety damn good. With the low cholesterol #'s you have its not as concerning a sif it were say 300.

Yeah it was fasting and all other numbers came back good. Glucose, Testosterone....etc.

[t-homo]

Niacin is just a vitamin, not some sort of drug. FWIW

[Particle Man]

Originally Posted by t-homo

Niacin is just a vitamin, not some sort of drug. FWIW

It's even found in some breakfast cereals.

[Evadd]

Originally Posted by Rider

... or anyone else in the medical profession.

So for my 40th I had a full physical and I got the results of my blood test back. The Dr called me with a concern. My Total Cholesterol is 126 but my HDL is only 25. So because my HDL is so low he wants me to take Niacin to raise my HDL. If my total Cholesterol is low, who gives a shit what my HDL is? Do I really need to take some fucking pill to raise my HDL or is he just getting a kickback from the drug company for pushing unnecessary pills?

The last time I had my Cholesterol checked (about 15+ years ago) it was 105.

that's pretty low for HDL. IMO, taking Niacin is nothing - it's vitamin B3. if i were you, i'd try to raise it. it can be protective - so yes, your total is low, and that's good, but a low HDL is still a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.