WHY YOUR CHOLESTEROL RATIOS MATTER — DR. ERIC WESTMAN

[Conversations with Dr. Westman: Episode 70]

When looking at a lipid panel -- that is, a cholesterol test -- the ratios of certain measurements give you a better indication of things than some of the individual numbers by themselves. For example, in terms of predicting risk for cardiovascular disease, the ratio of your HDL-cholesterol to your total cholesterol, and the ratio of your triglycerides to your HDL-cholesterol give you more information than looking at any of those numbers in isolation.

If this seems a bit confusing and overwhelming, check out my online course, End Your Cholesterol Confusion.

🎁 FREE DOWNLOAD - CHOLESTEROL & HEART HEALTH 🎁

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[amyphillips]

Thank you so much for this information!! Been ketovore for 6 years. I’m 55 and was concerned about having high LDL even though my triglycerides were 47 and HDL 91. Recently had a CAC score done and it was 0!! Dr. Westman videos have helped me so much! Again thank you!!!!

[ElsieDreamWorld]

Thank you so very much. I was terrified because my “total cholesterol” was reported high. However, listening to Dr. Westman explain everything, it results that my triglycerides/hdl ratio is 1! I so much appreciate this video. Thanks again

[chrisdean]

I tell anyone who will listen to read End Your Carb Confusion. Dr. Westman is a lifesaver.

[KirstiCheetahh]

Yes! TG must be low, not LDL. High LDL is very good for health!

[lovingitonketo]

(Harry) Great information again... This to me was a "hit out of the park" because I've been able to lower my Cholesterol dramatically.

[zshi]

Thank you Thank you!! My Total Cholesterol 9.7, imagine that!! But Triglycerides 0.9, LDL 6.7, HDL 2.6. Triglycerides HDL Ratio = 0.34! Refreshing!

[therevddrruwanpalapathwala]

Thank you, Dr Westman. I was waiting for this video. Very informative and learnt a lot from it. I just got my doc to order a comprehensive blood test for me. I look forward to your next video. Thank you to you too, Glen.

[ladylibertystacker]

I recently had my lipid panel basic along with a complete metabolic panel (sugar). I had fasted for 20 hours and took a tsp of MCT oil in my coffee that morning about 6 hours before the blood draw. I was only thinking about not affecting my fasting sugar, but didn't even think about the lipid panel. My total cholesterol was 233 and LDL (total) was 168. I told my doctor about the MCT oil and she didn't space out, but said it would be taken into consideration with my results. My triglycerides were a very low 53 and my HDL was 54. I had only been on Keto for about 3 months. My Triglycerides/HDL ratio was .98, so I was very happy about that. I am wondering how the MCT oil affected things. I am thinking that my results would have been a whole lot better if I had not taken the MCT oil which is a daily habit in my morning coffee. At the time, I had lost about 36 pounds after 3 months of Keto so my doctor apparently wasn't alarmed. That was about a month ago and now my weight loss is about 45.5 pounds so I must be doing something right. Just curious about the MCT oil. Thanks!

[erniewhite]

Thanks again Eric for your valuable information

[perlaespejo]

Very interesting topic.. thank u doctor

[NPD]

My cholesterol on my most recent labs was: total-406, triglycerides-91, HDL-63, LDL-325, and VLDL-18. My ratio of trig/hdl is 1.44. Because of the former way of interpreting cholesterol and heart disease I’m a bit worried about my total being 406, and my LDL being 325. My LDL was 183 on my prior labs before I started eating fatty meat, grass fed butter and salt again; however on my prior labs my triglycerides/hdl was 1.7. Now, my ratio is better but I’m still concerned with my high total and LDL. Opinions please?

[farmer_donny]

To use this calculation the units must be in mg/dL.
Europeans must convert.

[gt]

Thank you for this easy to understand information. I do have a question. What is the difference between LDL and VLDL. I have both test results on my yearly lab testing but I'm not sure what VLDL is indicative of.

[thewayidoit]

I love this but you boTh need microphones for better quality sound.

[Simpaulme]

Reassuring! All I was told was that total cholesterol should be less than 200 (or 5 in mmol). Whereas mine is 260 (6.7). But my Tg/HDL is 0.56!

Unlike most people here it seems, I'm not at all sold one keto - in fact I'm mostly vegan!

[kindnesstoall]

Interesting! Ratios? Have to figure that out. I may think I'm doing fine and may not.
Had CT Scan and it came back with 0 rating.
Chol: 310
Trig: 91
HDL: 87
VLDL: 15
LDL:208

[karooblue]

QUESTION: Dr. Westman ... What is your take on DNA testing for general Health including Diet & Exercise ? Much appreciated Dr. Westman :-)

[gmo]

Much more to health than cholesterol levels but nice to look at and trigs/ HDLnis a good ratio. Good to look at insulin sensitivity too. And "bad" cholesterol is not all bad. LDL is only bad if damaged...or small, dense particles. Need better blood tests. Too simple. Med field needs to step it up. Bottom line is keeping good metabolic health and keeping mitochondria heakthy. Feed the gut and protect liver.

[clear]

Thanks for all you do Dr. Westman. Can you have triglycerides to low and HDL to high? My trig 30 and HDL 79 LDL 120.

[cieramist]

I've been eating keto for 7 months, and lost over 70 lbs. My Doctor was aware of the Keto diet, and expected my LDL would be a "bit high", but was SHOCKED at just how high it is. She says my LDL is over 250, but that's all she'd say. She wanted to start me on medication, but I said no...not doing it. So I read that cinnamon is a good way to lower this and even A1C. My A1C is fine, but hoping the cinnamon will help. LOL