The More You Know - What Are Those Total Cholesterol Numbers?

       

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.

A million concerns and questions fly through our heads when we get those results. Let me break down into some very easy math terms how they come up with the apparently random number of 200. In just a few words, I hope to shed some light on that very question. What do those numbers mean?

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.

Okay, so here comes the basic math part, be prepared. Total Cholesterol Number (TCN) = Bad Cholesterol (LDL) + Good Cholesterol (HDL) + VLDL. Now isn't that a very simple formula?

You are more confused now than before, aren't you? Would it help if I explained what VLDL meant? First, you need to understand what triglycerides are. They are they fat cells or fatty acid in your blood. VLDL is the amount of those triglycerides found in your blood divided by the number 5.

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.

Although it seemed complicated at first, it really isn't that hard to understand. You now can see how your total cholesterol number is determined. But, let's be realistic, okay? The next time you go to the doctor, if the number is below 200, you will be happy. If the number is higher than 200, get ready for that stern lecture!

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