Have you ever gotten a lab report handed to you and wondered just what all of those numbers meant? The doctor goes on and on trying to make you understand them. But, really what exactly are the total cholesterol numbers? Although it does seem to be completely out of your league, rest assured you can learn. It is important to comprehend those reports because they are about you and your body. We need to have at least a basic understanding of what is going on with our own health.
When you visit the doctor for a blood cholesterol test, chances are that you are only listening for that magic number "200". If the number he tells you is lower than that, you feel ok; if it is much higher than 200 you may suddenly feel sick and short of breath. Well the magic number 200 is the total cholesterol number that is determined by a fairly simple mathematical formula.
Let's start with the basics. There are two kinds of cholesterol in every human. The good or HDL cholesterol and the bad or the LDL cholesterol can both be measured by very basic blood test. The averages of these findings are used for your final score. And basically, they are what makes the doctor give you either the good job pat on the back or the stern talking to about how important your health should be taken.
Your total cholesterol is calculated by using the following formula:HDL (Good Cholesterol) + LDL (Bad Cholesterol) + VLDL = Your Total Cholesterol Number (TCL/TCN).
Total cholesterol is calculated using this formulas: HDL +LDL+VLDL=Total Cholesterol.
Now you may be asking what is this VLDL number that is in the formula. VLDL is the doctor's abbreviation for the Triglyceride level in your blood. A triglyceride is a fatty acid or fat cell that is in your blood stream. VLDL is the triglyceride level in the bloodstream divided by five. Therefore, you total cholesterol number is the Good Cholesterol number + the Bad Cholesterol Number + the triglyceride level/5.
The doctor does not have to use calculus to find your total cholesterol number. If that number is well below 200, your doctor may congratulate you. If it is above 200 he may start a new medication or diet. If it has increased and is moving closer to the 200 mark, he may also give you a warning. You are better off knowing the number even if it is bad. Then you can start treatment.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
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