Cholesterol levels - Renew Hormone Center

What are cholesterol levels?

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is found in all cells of the body. Your body needs some cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help you digest foods. There are two types:

• LDL cholesterol, or "bad" cholesterol, can build up in your arteries and increase your risk for heart disease and stroke.
• HDL cholesterol, or "good" cholesterol, helps remove LDL cholesterol from your arteries.

When you get your cholesterol tested, your doctor will be able to tell you your total cholesterol level as well as your LDL, HDL, and triglyceride levels. They'll help you understand what your test results mean and if you need to improve your levels.

Healthy cholesterol levels are:

• Total cholesterol: less than 200 mg/dL
• LDL cholesterol: less than 100 mg/dL
• HDL cholesterol: 60 mg/dL or higher
• Triglycerides: less than 150 mg/dL

If your numbers are higher than these, your doctor may have you retest your cholesterol in about 6 weeks. If it remains high, they may prescribe medication or suggest dietary changes to get your levels where they should be.

How to improve high cholesterol

The main ways to improve cholesterol levels include:

• Losing extra weight
• Exercising more
• Quitting smoking
• Eating a heart healthy diet

Some key dietary changes to lower cholesterol include:

• Limiting saturated fats found in red meat and full-fat dairy
• Eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains
• Consuming foods with added plant stanols/sterols
• Increasing intake of omega-3 fatty acids from fish and nuts

Monitoring your cholesterol is important, especially as you age or if you have other risk factors for heart disease. Work with your doctor to catch any problems early and take preventive steps to keep your levels in check through regular testing and attention to diet and lifestyle habits.