31, Female, LOW HDL 37

[georockn]

I am 31 yro female, exercise, eat right, and yet I have low HDL of 37, LDL 81 and Tri 120.  I take fish oil but have not been able to budge my number.  My doc just says to keep up what I am doing and not worry about it.  But I keep reading in the media that LOW HDL is actually worse than high LDL.  Should I be doing more--like a drug treatment?

[heartattacks]

I am not sure if this works, here is the link Heart Attack! But I'm too young to have a heart attack._. A Personal Story

[heartattacks]

erijon is right, at 31yo, I do not believe there is a need for medication, off course unless ordered by your doctor. Do not alarm yourself unnecessarily, equip yourself with the required information. Nothing beats good info so that you will understand your own situation better. Among the best info that I came across is http://www.heartattacks.net.au - "Heart Attack! But I'm too young to have a heart attack._. A Personal Story".
Hope it helps.

[erijon]

You have absolutely no need to a medication. If you are concerned, you can ask your doctor about Niacin supplements, but with your low LDL I wouldn't be too fast to jump into that either. If your doctor will approve it, you can always increase your exercise as that will improve your HDL without meds as well.

[curmudgen]

The media isn't your physician. Serum levels of lipoproteins are, in part, genetically determined.  - there is only so much you can do to raise LDL.  I would suggest searching for - How to raise LDL levels - or search this site for previous discussions... You doctor knows your medical history and take his/her advice.  We take drugs too quickly theses days.