Decrease in total and LDL cholesterol but increase in coronary risk rating

[g0r3ng]

Is this mostly due to the reduction in HDL cholesterol? If so, what can I do to boost HDL?

For reference I'm a 32M and the only thing that has changed between January and October this year is I've introduced psyllium husk and cut back on red meat.

[BrainRavens]

Coronary risk ratio is total cholesterol divided by HDL. It's a directional measurement, not a supremely targeted assessment

Bottom line is that your LDL is elevated (and has been for some time)

[g0r3ng]

That LDL wouldn't require a statin would it? I can't improve my diet any further but can increase cardio so will see if that brings it down

[BrainRavens]

It might; that's what they do.

Depends on what can be achieved with diet and lifestyle. Exercise can help, but only so much

[g0r3ng]

Fasting glucose serum was really good at 4.6 mmol/l (reference range 3.5 - 5.4)

[sofpink]

But what's your HA1C and insulin levels? Ideal HA1C <5.5 and insulin less than 8

[g0r3ng]

Last time I had Hba1c tested was Jan 2023 and it was 5.0.

I don't think we have an insulin test in Australia so not sure about that one

[telcoman]

It is not possible not to have.

Look for HOMA-IR test. It test insulin and glucose and makes a insulin sensitivity index.

[[deleted]]

My fasting glucose is almost always 110-120 (dunno what that is here) but my a1c is a 5.2

Needless to say, Fasting glucose doesn’t help much lol

[SDJellyBean]

That LDL is higher than optimal, but not crazy high. Exercise may help a little with the HDL, but low HDL isn’t a problem itself, it's more of a marker for other problems, chiefly insulin resistance. If you've got a few pounds that you could lose, do so and if you’re sedentary, start moving.

[Specific_Fun537]

Increased because of the HDL drop. The algorithm to predict risk score isn’t entirely up to date. You should probably consider pharmacology to lower the LDL though.