From: Dr. Neal Pinckney (hnl10-224.gst.aloha.net)
Subject: Re: Low HDL level
Date: March 25, 2000 at 12:00 am PST

In Reply to: Low HDL level posted by Denise on March 24, 2000 at 8:21 pm:

Your HDL shouldn't be considered "low" for your total cholesterol level.

HDL is produced as a vehicle to remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream. As total cholesterol gets lower, there is less need to produce HDL, so one usually sees it decline. At total cholesterol levels of 150 or less, the value of the HDL/total ratio as a predictor of heart disease is not clearly known.

Using the experience of the Framingam Heart Study as an indicator, your present values make you a very unlikely candidate for heart troubles. As long as you continue with lipids in this range, there is no need to try to raise your HDL,