Does anyone know what’s the lowest LDL you can get before the lab can’t get a reading?
I'm not sure why but, my lab report is not showing a reference range. I'm so confused right now. My Endo cut my cholesterol medicine in half about a year ago because I've been getting very low readings. The last two lab readings don't even show a number. When the nurse called to give me my results over the phone she said the Endo wants me to go on a low fat diet. Doesn't going on a low fat diet mean that my chol would be high??? I just don't want my cholesterol to go too low because I was told BY MY ENDO that it is dangerous to go too low and I would end up with more health problems. I feel like he maybe didn't read my report correctly.
Considering that it is generally an estimated using the Friedewald equation rather than a direct measurement, I'm not sure there is a good answer. I've never understood this, all the obsession over lowering LDL, and nobody can be bothered to directly measure LDL.
I agree with your endo. When I fell into the clutches of the statinators, my cholesterol dropped like a rock, my LDL at one point was 32 mg/dl. I thought I was going to die. I'm not sure what is up with the low fat diet tho.
ps. You can also estimate LDL = TC - HDL - Tris/5.
pps. If you have low triglycerides, the Friedewald equation is known to give bogus answers.
These are my last results on last weeks lab. Total Chol-186, HDL-no reading but, usually runs around 100, LDL-no reading but,usually runs around 60, Trig-55.
You LDL calculation would be meaningless, but computes to LDL = 186-100-55/5 = 75.
I think you should politely decline all suggestions that you undertake cholesterol treatment or adopt a low fat diet.
Thanks for your help!