Shocked after last cholesterol test

[is_something_wrong]

I just got the results from my blood tests. They were awful.

The last time I measured my cholesterol (two years ago), it was 4,7 mmol/l (180 mg/dl) which I assume is fine.
Recent blood tests revealed:

ApoB: 1,2 g/l (0,6 - 1,5)
ApoA: 1,4 g/l (0,8 - 2,0)
ApoB/ApoA ratio: 0,85 (<1,2)

Total cholesterol: 5,7 mmol/l (220 mg/dl)
LDL cholesterol: 4,4 mmol/l (167 mg/dl)
HDL cholesterol: 1,1 mmol/l (42 mg/dl)
Triglycerides: 1,2 mmol/l (105 mg/dl)

I don't understand this at all. I know that after we started getting warm meals for lunch at work, my diet is less healthy, and during the summer I know there's been too much ice cream. But still, I don't smoke, I do regular exercise (though I've been a bit lazy the last couple of weeks) I never drink alcohol and my BP is great.

My GP didn't seem surprised at all, and he just told me that he recommends that I see a nutritionist to learn healthy cooking (a bit too much dairy products and meat recently) and he wants to do new tests after 6-12 months. He also recommended one glass of wine each day (which I've avoided because I'm somewhat anxious and I don't want to self-medicate anything with alcohol (he thought that was great by the way)). He completely ruled out medications because I have no other risk factors for CAD and because I'm still young.

What do you think?

[is_something_wrong]

Thanks Jon!

Yes, that's pretty high. Concerning thyroids, I'm borderline hyperthyroid (FT4 21,3 recently, which is possibly the reason for my PACs) so I don't think that's the reason. My vitamin D was low though, maybe this is a reason, but my calcium is borderline high (and my PTH is normal so this is quite a mystery) so I don't take vitamin D supplements yet.

I know I've done a lot of mistakes in my diet, I have a girlfriend who makes too much fastfood for dinner and I ate too much dairy products and sugar. I've changed my diet now and will take new tests in a couple of months.

I don't like the combination of high LDL and high calcium though.. something is telling me this is really really bad..

[erijon]

Wow, an LDL of 170 is pretty high. Although it could be diet related, I would discuss having your thyroid checked with your doctor. It is very possible that you may be hypothyroid meaning your thyroid is not producing enough of the required hormone to fuel your metabolism. That is normally the case when you see a sudden spike. If your thyroid is under active then your metabolism will be slowed as well which will cause less fats to be converted to energy and they remain in your system, some as LDL.

Tightening up your diet can't hurt either, but 170 is pretty high for you LDL and I would think there is an underlying cause and I would start with the thyroid.

Just my 2 cents, let me know how it works out!

Jon