Extremely High HDL levels

[mme6103]

I just received my cholesterol test results, and my HDL levels are extremely high. The verified by repeat analysis, and I am wondering what this means. I know that HDL are the good cholesterols, but I was wondering if they should be this high.

Cholesterol, Total    208 H  mg/dL       (100-199) normal range
Triglycerides      101 mg/dL                 (0-149)
HDL Cholesterol     106 H  mg/dL        (40-59)

[erijon]

Normally, high HDL is a good thing and yours being high is not necessarily a problem. Much depends on the make up of the HDL-C particles. HDL particles break down into either small or large particles. The larger the particle, the more of a risk high HDL becomes. Larger particles tend to be less effective when binding with LDL and can also help cause plaque to build up. In addition, particle size may be an indicator of a genetic issue which also has metabolic components that may cause high HDL to be a predictor of increased risk of CAD.

Having said that, this usually pertains to individuals with levels of HDL around 150 plus. It sounds much more complicated than it really is. I would retest an a few months and see what the numbers look like, discuss it with your doctor and decide if more testing or treatments need to be done. Your doctor may want to start treatment, but you should discuss it with him.

Hope this helps,

Jon

[bio333]

Hi

I just did mya nnual check and again my HDL is extremely high 130.
It is high every year, and I start beişng worried. Dr says he never saw such a thing b4, but I should no worry...yeah well, he never saw it b4 and should I not worry?

My HDL is 230
LDL 61
Total colestherol 188

should I worry or not? can it be also linked to liver problems?

Rgds,

[bio333]

Hi

I just did mya nnual check and again my HDL is extremely high 130.
It is high every year, and I start beişng worried. Dr says he never saw such a thing b4, but I should no worry...yeah well, he never saw it b4 and should I not worry?

My HDL is 230
LDL 61
Total colestherol 188

should I worry or not? can it be also linked to liver problems?

Rgds,

[RadioAstronomyObserver]

Exorcise has to be exhaustive to raise your HDL?  Bummer :-(  

[Pulgicita]

In addition to fairly rare genetic mutations in cholesterol transport proteins, there are 4 main causes of hyper-alphalipoproteinemia (HDL-Cholesterol > 80 mg/dl).  

1)  Alcohol raises HDL and this is one of the reasons that moderate alcohol consumers have reduced rates of cardiovascular disease. Alcoholism and excessive drinking can raise levels above 100 by changing liver function.  If you drink excessively (reallly- way over the recommended 1-2 drinks a day), then this is likely the cause.  

2) Exhaustive aerobic exercise will raise HDL.  I don't mean walking fast- I mean working out hard at least a few times a week.  Unlike alcohol (which can skyrocket your HDL), I am not aware of HDL going above 100 from exercise alone.  

3) High intake of niacin aka nicotinic acid, a B vitamin will raise HDL levels up to 30%.  

4) Long-term low carbohydrate ketogenic (example Atkins) dieting.  These diets have been shown to raise HDL by about 10% a year.  Although there is a paucity of data on the long-term effects, most case studies indicate that HDL continues to increase the longer the diet is followed.  

My overall sense as a PhD nutritionist working in research for over 20 years, is that even a very high HDL is probably good news (if you want to live  really long I mean).   But, because there are so few people with these types of numbers, we really don't know.  

[rmagda27]

Wow, I would take your high number over my too low number any day! Your HDL/LDL ratio is what matters most, so I would not be too terribly concerned. Plus the more HDL you have the better your arteries stay clean. Are you a runner or exercise regularly? They usually have very high HDL numbers.