Hi Wendy, I asked you in class about a 68 year-old woman with total cholesterol 272, HDL 70, LDL 192, Triglycerides 50 (that’s me). I wonder if you are familiar with the TG/HDL ratio as an indicator for LDL particle size, and how reliable that is. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14564088/ My ratio is .71 mg/dl which is very low. As far as inflammation is concerned, my dentist said that I have periodontitis, and I had cleaning and scaling, and a filling, in the weeks leading up to the cholesterol test. Could this affect the numbers? They went up since January ‘23 from TC 256, HDL 79, LDL 166, and TG 56. My doctor, of course, advised me to take statins, which I will not do. Also, there is research indicating that older people with higher cholesterol live longer. http://www.ravnskov.nu/2015/12/27/myth-9/ I don’t mean to be rude by asking for “free medical advice,” but it is often through my own experience that I learn to help others! I appreciate hearing your opinion. Becky Russell

Wendy said: TG: HDL ratio isn't a very reliable measure of particle size. And yes, having if there is periodontitis and everything was just 'stirred up' by a cleaning within a week or so of the lab draw, that could falsely elevate the lipids. If it was several weeks prior, then maybe not. Any increase in LDL reflects a rise in inflammation, so I think about blood sugar dysregulation, increasing insulin, increased saturated fats, less exercise. And yes, having slightly elevated cholesterol when you're over 75 is actually advantageous and adding statins at that point can be detrimental. The studies were in THAT age group though, so not sure I can actually say that about a 68 yr old! I suggest that you really look at any dietary changes, change in exercise, new stressors, etc. If the dental stuff is cleared up, then perhaps it would be helpful in the next few months to repeat the labs, but get either an NMR lipoprotein with fractionation test (Labcorp) or and Advanced Lipid Panel with inflammatory marker (Quest)--these are equivalent and could tell you a lot more info. check fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin and A1C at the same time.