What Does My Lipid Profile Results Indicate?

Posted on Tue, 17 Mar 2015

Question: Hi there,
I recently had a lipid profile done and just got my results, which I'm including.

It's going to be a month or so becfore I can talk about them with my doctor, and I'd like to know, based on the totality of the results, what my cardiovascular assessment is overall: low risk, medium risk, or high risk.

I find the results difficult to interpret. In several areas (total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL Particule NU, Apolipo B, Lipoprotein (A), HS-CRP, and LP-PLA2), I'm in the optimal/low risk category! However, my HDL has always been low, and other areas (LDL Small, LDL Medium, HDL Large, LDL Pattern, LDL Peak Size), I'm in the high risk category! So I'm not sure what to think about it all.

Traditional risk factors are being overweight/obese and prehypertension. However, I exercise regularly, am working with a nutritionist to eat healthier/eliminate processed food, eat lots of fruits and veggies, concentrate on healthy fats (olive oil, avocados, nuts, etc.), take supplements to help (Kyolic aged garlic, whole foods multi, fish oil, and others), and don't smoke. I do drink, but moderately most of the time, and I'm trying to lose weight.

Aside from the cholesterol results, I'm aware Lyme came back positive, and I'm having a followup test regarding that. Please feel free to bring up anything else you notice that might be worth noting.

Thanks much for your help/interpretation. I'm hopeful the aggregate results of this bloodwork isn't bad, but I need to know either way.

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Your overall cardiac risk is at low category.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
I read your query and understood your concerns.

Your overall cardiac risk for developing atherosclerosis and heart disease is low. Two most important values that determine this risk are total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, which are normal.

There's only one independent risk factor which put you at low risk category.

Other datas on your lipd profile would be important in the presence of heart disease, but are I relevant as markers for the evaluation of the risk of atherosclerosis.

Another findings that should be considered is the lyme test and cardiac function should be assessed with cardiac echo to exclude myocarditis.

My advice is to continue this way with diet and lifestyle to keep cholesterol levels at this values.

Hope this will be of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Benard

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

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (53 minutes later)

Hi and thanks so much for getting back to me!

It is good to hear you are not concerned about my cholesterol numbers and find them good.

Just to verify, you were able to review the attached full report (PDF) of lab results, and still find my risk low despite the few areas that are outside of the optimal category?

Re the Lyme test, the second blood test was completed today, and I'm awaiting result. I had an echo last year that was normal, but I will bring this up to my doctor!

Thanks again for your help!

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I want to reassure that you are at a low risk for atherosclerosis...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

I checked by my self the test results and you shouldn't worry. Again I want to reassure that you are at a low risk for atherosclerosis and overall cardiac disease.

You should discus with your doctor about planing cardiac echo.

Wish you health!
Dr. Benard

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

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