Tested For Cholesterol Level And Triglyceride. Is Lipitor Or Another Drug Really Needed?

Posted on Wed, 1 Aug 2012

Question: My total cholesterol level is 212, my LDL is 151, my HDL is 44 and my triglicerides are 85 - those numbers are a slight improvement from 2 and 3 years ago. Is Lipitor or another drug really needed?

Answered by Dr. Kiran Kumar (51 minutes later)

Dear Sir,,

Thanks for writing in.

Your results suggests that you have mild dyslipidaemia.

Your LDL is 151 wheras the target for you would be less than 130.
Your HDL - good cholesterol is 44 and is good. Men should have it above 40. And yes, higher the better.
Your Triglycerides are 85 and are perfect. Target is less than 150.
Your total cholesterol is mildly elevated and target is less than 200.

Now, in healthy males with no diabetes or hypertension, the target LDL is less than 130 and tratment with drugs is recommended if it is more than 160. In between 130 - 160, we manage with diet and exercise. Thats where hyou are now.

So you do not need any drugs as per the current recommendation.
Regular exercise and reduced fat intake will be help ful to bring it down.
Also, the trend is downward for you and thats a positive sign.

Hope this clarifies your concern.

Do get back if you need any further information.

Sincerely,

Dr Kiran

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar