Everything about cholesterol: the norm in the blood, tips and recommendations on how to lower it. Ways to normalize LDL levels
Hearing about cholesterol, a person immediately thinks about its harm. This is true, but with a slight clarification: the body needs this substance for normal functioning. It's just that its useful amount has its limits.
Cholesterol, a natural fatty (lipophilic) alcohol, is an organic compound found in the outer layer of every cell in the human body. Cholesterol is responsible for a number of important body functions, including:
- strengthening of cell walls;
- production of bile acid, which breaks down fats in the intestines;
- participation in the synthesis of vitamin D and sex hormones - testosterone, cortisol and estrogen.
Cholesterol is also found in breast milk, due to which the walls of the brain cells of the baby become stronger.
In total, the body produces about 500 milligrams of cholesterol. Most of it is formed in the liver. Approximately the same amount of this substance the body receives along with high-grade foods.
Cholesterol does not dissolve well in water. That is why, in its pure form, it is not transferred by the bloodstream to the tissues of the body. Cholesterol and transporter proteins form complex compounds - lipoproteins. They are highly soluble and can be transported by blood.
Depending on the amount of lipids they contain, these compounds are:
- very low density - VLDL (LP here means lipoproteins);
- low density (LDL);
- high density (HDL);
- chylomicrons.
LDL is called "bad" cholesterol because it often forms plaques on the walls of blood vessels. But HDL is “good”, which dissolves these plaques. The above classification is conditional, since cholesterol is always the same in its structure and composition. What matters is which transporter protein it is attached to.
Well, in a certain amount, condition and ratio, cholesterol is absolutely harmless and vital for the body. You just need to try to control its level.
Deciphering a blood test for cholesterol
An appropriate blood test, called a lipidogram, helps to determine the level of cholesterol. It fixes the indicator not only of total cholesterol (TC), but also of its other types (including HDL, LDL and triglycerides).
The unit of measure for cholesterol is millimoles per liter of blood (mmol?/?liter).
For each indicator, 2 values are set - minimum and maximum.
Norms are not the same, and their size depends on age and gender.
There is no exact indicator, which should normally equal the amount of cholesterol. However, there are recommendations regarding the interval in which its level should be in a given period of life in a healthy person. These figures are different for men and women.
Going beyond this interval often indicates the presence of a disease. In the case of an increase in cholesterol levels, hypercholesterolemia occurs. Its presence indicates the risk of early development of atherosclerosis. Hypercholesterolemia can be caused by hereditary pathology, but most often it appears due to the abuse of fatty foods.
The OH level indicators (on the lipid profile) are considered normal if it is in the range of 3.11–5.0 mmol / liter.
The level of "bad" cholesterol (LDL) above 4.91 mmol / liter is sure sign of atherosclerosis. It is desirable that this indicator does not exceed the range from 4.11 to 4.91 mmol/liter.
A low HDL also indicates that the human body is affected by atherosclerosis. A level of at least one millimol per liter of blood is considered normal.
The triglyceride (TG) index is also important. If it is higher than 2.29 mmol / liter, then this may indicate the presence of various diseases, including:
- IHD (ischemic heart disease);
- pancreatitis;
- diabetes;
- hypothyroidism;
- hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver;
- hypertension;
- obesity;
- gout.
An increase in TG also occurs when pregnancy occurs, oral contraceptives or hormonal preparations are used.
But low TG levels can be caused by an inadequate diet, kidney tissue damage, chronic lung problems, and hyperthyroidism.
According to the lipid profile, the coefficient (index) of atherogenicity (Ia) is calculated. It shows how high the probability of developing vascular and heart diseases is. It is calculated by the formula:
The size of the coefficient below three means that the amount of "good" cholesterol in a person's blood is quite enough to minimize the risk of atherosclerosis.
The value of the indicator in the range from three to four (with an upper limit of 4.5) indicates a high risk of developing the disease or even its presence.
The output of the coefficient outside the norm with a very high probability means the presence of a disease.
To do the analysis, venous blood is taken in the morning on an empty stomach. Food should be taken at least six to eight hours before the procedure. In addition, physical activity and fatty foods are contraindicated.
Norms of cholesterol in men
Normative indicators of cholesterol change every five years. In childhood, only the general indicator is measured. After reaching the age of five, both “good” and “bad” cholesterol are fixed. The limiting norms of a substance in the body increase over time. This happens before the age of fifty: then the level of cholesterol decreases.
The average cholesterol levels are as follows:
- total cholesterol - from 3.61 to 5.21 mmol / liter;
- LDL - from 2.250 to 4.820 mmol / liter;
- HDL - from 0.71 to 1.71.
Table 1 contains information on the boundary values of the indicator in the most productive time of a man's life: from fifteen to fifty.
An increase in cholesterol levels, of course, should be very alert. Its consumption should not exceed three hundred grams per day.. In order not to exceed this rate, you must adhere to the following diet:
- Eat only lean meat, dairy products (fat-free).
- Replace butter with vegetable oil.
- Do not eat fried and spicy food.
- Eat as many fruits as possible. In particular, citrus fruits are very useful. For example, grapefruit is especially effective in lowering cholesterol levels. If you eat it every day, then after a few months this figure can be reduced by almost eight percent.
- Include legumes and oatmeal in the diet - they will contribute to the removal of cholesterol.
- End smoking. Those who like to smoke gradually accumulate “bad” cholesterol in their bodies and squander “good” cholesterol. Smoking day after day damages the walls of blood vessels, on which this harmful substance begins to accumulate.
- Eliminate alcoholic beverages and reduce coffee intake.
In general, if you follow a proper and balanced diet, you can achieve a fifteen percent reduction in cholesterol.
Cholesterol levels in women
As noted above, cholesterol levels depend on sex and age and change throughout life. The state of health is also important. The female norm is lower than the male one.
Average cholesterol values are shown in Table 2.
Total cholesterol, high (“good”) and low (“bad”) density is subject to assessment.
If total cholesterol is within normal limits, and LDL is elevated, then an increase in blood density may occur. This is a dangerously high possibility of blood clots forming inside the blood vessels.
The indicator of "bad" cholesterol should not exceed 5.590 mmol / liter, otherwise there will be a threat to life. When the total indicator exceeds 7.84 mmol / liter, pathologies begin to develop in the circulatory system.
Undesirable is the fall of "good" cholesterol below normal. After all, then the body will feel its deficiency and there will be a threat of the formation of blood clots in the vessels.
Metabolism in a young body takes place much faster, and therefore the younger the woman, the closer her cholesterol level is to normal. Until a certain time, excesses in the blood do not accumulate, and heavy foods (including fatty and spicy foods) are easier to digest.
However, cholesterol also rises in youth if such diseases are present:
- diabetes;
- liver failure;
- malfunctions of the endocrine system.
Cholesterol indicators, which are considered normal, are shown in Table 3.
Slightly increased cholesterol levels in females, over 30 years old(table 4).
The likelihood of an increase in the amount of cholesterol is greater in those women who are not indifferent to smoking and take contraceptives in the form of tablets. After 30, nutrition becomes more relevant. Indeed, in the fourth decade, metabolic processes are no longer so fast. The body needs significantly less carbohydrates and fats, and it is more difficult for it to process food that contains these substances. As a result, their excess accumulates, which provokes an increase in cholesterol in the blood. This, in turn, leads to a deterioration in the functioning of the heart.
After 40 in women, the reproductive function gradually fades, sex hormones (estrogens) are produced in smaller quantities. But it is they who protect the body of a woman from possible jumps in cholesterol levels.
After forty-five, menopause approaches. Estrogen levels plummet. There is an increase in cholesterol, the reason for which is the physiological characteristics of the female body.
Just like men, women should pay special attention to their diet. You need to be very careful about eating eggs, dairy products, meat. It is recommended to eat more marine fish, including fatty ones. Vegetables and fruits should form the basis of your daily diet. Those women who suffer from extra pounds, move little and cannot give up cigarettes should be especially attentive to themselves.
Cholesterol after 50 years in men
Visually, without conducting the necessary tests, it is impossible to determine the increase in cholesterol. However, in men after the age of fifty, characteristic symptoms may appear, including:
- angina pectoris, that is, narrowing of the coronary heart arteries;
- the appearance of skin neoplasms with fatty inclusions inside near the eyes;
- pain in the legs with little physical activity;
- mini strokes;
- heart failure, shortness of breath.
After fifty, men enter a life-threatening period. Therefore, they simply have to monitor their cholesterol levels. Its rules are:
- 51-55 years old: TC - 4.08-7.16 / LDL - 2.30-5.110 / HDL - 0.721-1.631;
- 56-60 years old: OH - 4.03-7.14 / LDL - 2.29-5.270 / HDL - 0.721-1.841;
- 61-70 years: OH - 4.08-7.09 / LDL - 2.55-5.450 / HDL - 0.781-1.941;
- 71 and above: OH - 3.72-6.85 / LDL - 2.491-5.341 / HDL - 0.781-1.941.
Cholesterol after 50 years in women
After fifty, an increase in total cholesterol levels is normal. In this case, special attention should be paid to the LDL indicator.
The norms of cholesterol in mature and elderly women are as follows:
As can be seen from the table, the interval in which the normal cholesterol level is located is very large. However, do not exceed the established limits.
In older women who are already sixty years old, the concentration in the blood of total cholesterol can reach 7.691 mmol / liter. It would be nice to stop at this figure up to 70 years, although a small increase (up to 7.81 mmol / l) is allowed.
“Good” cholesterol should not fall below 0.961, and “bad” cholesterol should not rise above 5.71.
At a venerable age - after seventy years
There is a widespread misconception that cholesterol is harmful to the body, and its level in the blood is one of the most important indicators of a person's health. Many in an attempt to maintain their health adhere to strict diets, excluding all foods containing cholesterol. However, few people know that it is part of cell membranes, gives them strength and ensures the exchange of substances between the cell and the intercellular substance and regulates the activity of enzymes. Thus, without cholesterol, the normal functioning of our body is impossible.
Despite the importance of cholesterol, excessive consumption of fatty foods of animal origin can lead to an increased content in the body, which negatively affects health and can cause serious illness.
Controlling cholesterol levels will help maintain your health for many years, increase the body's natural resistance, increase life expectancy and improve its quality. In this article, we will dispel the most common myths about the role of cholesterol in our body and its metabolism. We will also look at the most effective ways to control cholesterol levels.
Cholesterol (from the Greek. chole - bile and stereo - solid, hard) - was first identified in gallstones from here and got its name. It is a natural water-insoluble lipophilic alcohol. About 80% of cholesterol is synthesized in the body (liver, intestines, kidneys, adrenal glands, gonads), the remaining 20% must come from the food we consume.
Circulating in the bloodstream, cholesterol, if necessary, is used as a building material, as well as for the synthesis of more complex compounds. Since it is insoluble in water (and, accordingly, in the blood), its transportation is possible only in the form of complex water-soluble compounds, which are divided into 2 types:
Low density lipoproteins (LDL)
High density lipoproteins (HDL)
Both of these substances must be in a strictly defined ratio, their total volume must also not exceed the norm. This can lead to serious diseases of the cardiovascular system.
Functions of cholesterol in the body:
- ensuring the strength of cell walls, regulation of their permeability for various molecules;
- synthesis of vitamin D;
- synthesis of steroid (cortisone, hydrocortisone), male (androgens) and female (estrogens, progesterone) sex hormones by the adrenal glands;
- in the form of bile acids, it participates in the formation of bile and the absorption of fats during digestion;
- participates in the formation of new synapses in the brain, thereby improving mental abilities and memory.
In fact, it is not cholesterol as such that causes harm, but its fluctuations beyond the norm. Health problems can cause both excess and lack of it in the body.
The negative impact of cholesterol
According to statistics, people who died from cardiovascular diseases had low levels of high density lipoproteins, but high levels of low density lipoproteins.
Lipoproteins with their wrong ratio or prolonged high content in the blood can settle on the walls of blood vessels and cause atherosclerosis.
This dangerous disease occurs when plaques form on the vascular endothelium, which, over time, grow more and more and accumulate calcium. As a result, the lumen of the vessels narrows, they lose their elasticity (stenosis), which leads to a decrease in the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the heart and tissues and the development of angina pectoris (cessation of arterial blood flow to certain parts of the heart due to blockage of the coronary artery, accompanied by pain and discomfort in the chest) . Often, it is because of a violation of the blood supply that a heart attack or myocardial infarction occurs. The formation of cholesterol plaques leads to damage on the inner wall of the vessels, a blood clot can form, which can subsequently clog the artery or come off and cause an embolism. Also, a vessel that has lost its elasticity can burst with an increase in pressure in the bloodstream.
The role of lipoproteins
HDL is considered a "good" lipoprotein due to its ability to dissolve cholesterol plaques and remove it from the walls of arteries, the higher its percentage in relation to LDL ("bad" lipoprotein), the better. LDL transports cholesterol from the organs that synthesize it into the arteries, and with an increased content of this compound, these large insoluble molecules combine to form fatty plaques, attach to the vessels and clog them. Being subjected to oxidative processes, cholesterol loses its stability and can easily penetrate into the thickness of the walls of the arteries.
On the formed oxidized LDL, specific antibodies begin to be produced in large quantities, which leads to severe damage to the walls of the arteries. In addition, cholesterol lowers nitric oxide levels, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Nitric oxide plays important role in the body:
- dilates blood vessels, lowers blood pressure, prevents the formation of blood clots in the bloodstream;
- plays an important role in the fight against bacteria and viruses that enter the body, destroys cancer cells;
- increases stamina muscle tissue;
- participates in the exchange of information between different cells, is a neurotransmitter in synapses.
HDL not only removes cholesterol from the blood back to the liver, but also prevents the oxidation of LDL.
Signs of high cholesterol levels in the body
An increase in cholesterol levels is associated with a violation of lipid (fat) metabolism. This can be a symptom not only of atherosclerosis, but also of other serious diseases:
- liver;
- kidneys (chronic renal failure, glomerulonephritis);
- pancreas (chronic pancreatitis);
- diabetes mellitus (a serious disease associated with a violation of the synthesis of beta cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas);
- hypothyroidism (decreased synthesis of thyroid hormones);
- obesity.
Symptoms of atherosclerosis are caused by narrowing of the lumen of blood vessels as a result of prolonged and persistent elevated cholesterol levels, and deterioration of blood circulation in different parts of the bloodstream.
Main symptoms:
- angina pectoris (sudden discomfort or pain in the chest that occurs during exercise or emotional stress);
- shortness of breath;
- arrhythmia heart rate);
- cyanosis and swelling of the peripheral parts of the body (fingers, toes);
- periodic cramps in the legs (intermittent claudication);
- memory impairment, inattention;
- decrease in intellectual abilities;
- yellow-pink lipid deposits in the skin (xanthomas), most often observed on the skin of the eyelids and in the ankle joints.
The impact of HDL and LDL levels on our health
Still, the opinion that the total level of HDL and LDL lipoproteins affects the state of health and their increase entails terrible consequences for the functioning of the whole organism. However, this statement is not entirely true. Yes, the above diseases will be accompanied by an increased content of lipoproteins in general, but what is much more important is the exact ratio of “good” HDL and “bad” LDL in the blood. It is the violation of this proportion that leads to health problems. When determining the content of lipoproteins in the blood, 4 indicators are taken into account: the total amount of cholesterol, the level of HDL, LDL and triglycerides.
Norms
Total cholesterol in the blood - 3.0 - 5.0 mmol/l;
With the threat of atherosclerosis, total cholesterol rises to 7.8 mmol / l;
LDL at men- 2.25 - 4.82 mmol / l;
LDL in women- 1.92 - 4.51 mmol / l;
HDL at men- 0.72 - 1.73 mmol / l;
HDL at women- 0.86 - 2.28 mmol / l;
Triglyceridesin men- 0.52 - 3.7 mmol / l;
Triglyceridesamong women- 0.41 - 2.96 mmol / l.
The most indicative is the ratio of HDL and LDL against the background of total cholesterol. In a healthy body, HDL is much higher than LDL.
The most effective treatments for high cholesterol
There are many drugs that lower cholesterol in cases where this indicator poses a serious threat to health, or already at the onset of atherosclerosis. It is necessary to pay tribute, an important part of which is proper nutrition. In such cases, diet and moderate exercise will help not only bring all blood counts back to normal, but also completely heal and rejuvenate your body.
For a faster therapeutic effect, pharmacological preparations are used:
— Statins- the most popular drugs, the principle of their action is to inhibit the synthesis of cholesterol in the liver by blocking the corresponding enzymes. Usually they are taken once a day at bedtime (at this time, the active production of cholesterol in the body begins). The therapeutic effect occurs after 1-2 weeks of systematic use, with prolonged use they are not addictive. Side effects may include nausea, abdominal and muscle pain, and in rare cases, there may be individual sensitivity. Drugs of the statin group can reduce cholesterol levels by 60%, but with their long-term use, it is necessary to regularly take tests for AST and ALT every six months. The most common statins are cerivastatin, fluvastatin, and lovastatin.
— Fibrates stimulate the production of HDL, are recommended when the amount of triglycerides is 4.5 mmol / l. Not recommended for use with statins. Side effects are manifested in the form of gastrointestinal disorders, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Representatives of this group of drugs: clofibrate, fenofibrate, gemfibrozil.
— bile acid sequestrants. This group of drugs is not absorbed into the blood, but acts locally - it binds to bile acids, which are synthesized from cholesterol, and remove them from the body naturally. The liver begins to increase the production of bile acids, using more cholesterol from the blood, a visible positive effect occurs a month after the start of medication, to enhance the effect, simultaneous administration of statins is possible. Prolonged use of drugs can lead to impaired absorption of fats and vitamins, increased bleeding is possible. Side effects: flatulence, constipation. These drugs include: colestipol, cholestyramine.
— Cholesterol absorption inhibitors interfere with the absorption of lipids from the intestine. Drugs in this group can be prescribed to people who have contraindications to taking statins, since they are not absorbed into the blood. In Russia, only 1 drug of the group of cholesterol absorption inhibitors, ezetrol, is registered.
The above measures are used in advanced cases, when it is necessary to quickly lower cholesterol levels, and lifestyle changes cannot quickly give the desired effect. But even when taking pharmacological agents, do not forget about prevention, and harmless natural supplements that, with long-term regular use, will help you prevent diseases of the cardiovascular system in the future.
Folk remedies to help lower blood cholesterol levels
- Niacin (nicotinic acid, vitamin PP, vitamin B 3). The mechanism of action is not fully understood, but experiments show that after a few days of taking high doses of the vitamin, the level of LDL and triglycerides in the blood decreases markedly, but the amount of HDL increases up to 30%. Unfortunately, it does not reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular complications and seizures. For maximum effectiveness, niacin can be combined with other treatments.
— . Contained in fish oil and seafood, as well as in vegetable oils of cold pressing (unrefined). They have a positive effect on the nervous system, prevent rickets during the period of active growth, help lower cholesterol and blood pressure, improve blood circulation, strengthen blood vessels and give them elasticity, prevent their thrombosis, participate in the synthesis of hormone-like substances - prostaglandins. Regular intake of sources of essential fatty acids will miraculously affect the functioning of the whole organism, in particular, it will help prevent the development of atherosclerosis.
— Vitamin E. An extremely strong antioxidant that prevents the breakdown of LDL and the formation of fatty plaques. For the onset of a positive effect, it is necessary to constantly use the vitamin in appropriate doses.
— Green tea contains polyphenols - substances that affect lipid metabolism, they reduce the level of "bad" cholesterol and increase the content of "useful". In addition, tea contains antioxidants.
- Garlic. Fresh garlic is recommended to use to lower cholesterol levels, prevent the formation of clots in blood vessels (thinns the blood). The active components that make up garlic are sulfur-containing compounds, in particular, alliin.
— Soy protein. By action, they are similar to estrogens - they reduce the likelihood of atherosclerosis. Genistein prevents LDL oxidation due to its antioxidant properties. In addition, soy stimulates the production of bile, thereby helping to remove cholesterol from the body.
— Vitamins B 6 (pyridoxine), B 9 (folic acid), B 12 (cyanocobalamin). A sufficient amount of these vitamins in the diet contributes to the proper functioning of the heart muscle, significantly reduces the risk of developing atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.
What factors contribute to high cholesterol levels and the development of atherosclerosis?
Most often, atherosclerosis affects people who have neglected their health for a long time. The sooner you change your lifestyle, the less likely you are to develop serious diseases. Here are 4 main factors that contribute to high blood cholesterol levels:
— Passive lifestyle. With low mobility, lack of physical activity, the level of "bad" cholesterol rises, creating a threat of the development of cardiovascular diseases.
— Obesity. Violation of lipid metabolism is closely related to high cholesterol. Overweight people are prone to various diseases of the cardiovascular system.
— Smoking. It leads to narrowing of the arteries, an increase in blood viscosity, thrombosis, entails the risk of heart disease.
— Consumption of fatty animal products in large quantities leads to an increase in LDL.
— Heredity. The predisposition to high cholesterol levels is genetically transmitted. Therefore, people whose relatives suffer from this pathology should carefully monitor their health.
Healthy lifestyle as a way to fight cholesterol
As long as you adhere to proper nutrition and an active lifestyle, the risk of developing various diseases decreases. This is especially true for people at risk. By changing your lifestyle, you improve the work of the whole organism, even despite the tendency to any pathologies, internal defense mechanisms can easily cope with the threat.
Active sports improve metabolism, train the heart muscle at the same time as the skeletal muscles, contribute to a better blood supply to all organs and systems (during physical exertion, the blood from the depot goes into the general direction, this contributes to a better saturation of the organs with oxygen and nutrients).
Sports exercises also lead to the strengthening of the walls of blood vessels, prevent the development of varicose veins.
Don't forget the importance of proper nutrition. Do not abuse strict diets. The body must receive all the nutrients it needs in the optimal ratio, vitamins and minerals, fiber. The diet should contain enough vegetables, fruits, cereals, lean meat, sea and ocean fish, vegetable unrefined oils, milk and dairy products. If there is a lack of any vitamins in the diet, it is worth periodically taking preparations with their content to prevent beriberi.
Quitting smoking will reduce the risk of developing not only atherosclerosis, but also a number of other diseases, such as bronchitis, stomach ulcers, and cancer.
Sport is the best remedy for stress and depression, it tempers the nervous system. Regular physical activity, whether it's a run in the park or 3 hours of exercise in the gym, helps to remove the negativity and irritation accumulated over the whole day, many athletes experience euphoria during training. It has been experimentally proven that active people are much less prone to stress than those who lead a sedentary lifestyle.
Conclusion
As you can see, cholesterol is an extremely important compound that performs a number of vital functions. important functions. It is necessary for our life, but in the body its amount should not go beyond the norm. An imbalance in the ratio of high and low density lipoproteins entails serious consequences.
The best treatment is timely prevention. The most effective way to prevent high cholesterol levels in the blood is a healthy lifestyle.
When you give up bad habits and start adhering to the above rules, you will completely forget about health problems.
Cholesterol. Myths and deceit.
The normal functioning of your body depends on how stable your blood sugar level is. When we consume sugar or carbohydrates, the body converts them into glucose. Our body uses it as energy to provide various functions, ranging from the work of neurons or nerve cells in the brain, ending with processes occurring at the cellular level.
What is sugar level
Blood sugar is the amount of glucose in your blood. The value of glucose (sugar - hereinafter) in the blood is most often measured in millimoles per liter or milligrams per deciliter. For a person, the norm of blood sugar ranges from 3.6 mmol / l (65 mg / dl) to 5.8 mmol / l (105 mg / dl). Of course, the exact value for each individual.
How the body controls blood sugar levels
It is very important that the sugar level is normal. It should not be allowed to be a little higher or a little lower, if it falls heavily and goes beyond the norm, the consequences can be very serious, such as:
- Confusion, loss of consciousness and subsequently - coma.
- If sugar is elevated, it may darken and blur before your eyes, you will feel very tired.
Principles of regulation
| Sugar level | Impact on the pancreas | Impact on the liver | Impact on glucose levels |
|---|---|---|---|
| High | This level of sugar signals the pancreas to produce insulin. | The liver converts any excess glucose into glucagon. | The sugar level drops. |
| Short | A low level signals the pancreas to stop producing insulin before it is needed again. At the same time, glucagon is released. | The liver stops processing excess glucose into glucagon due to its release from the pancreas. | The sugar level is rising. |
| Normal | When you eat, glucose enters the bloodstream and signals the pancreas to release insulin. This helps glucose enter the cells and give them the energy they need. | The liver is at rest, producing nothing, since the sugar level is normal. | The sugar level is normal, keeps at the same value. |
If the sugar level is between 3.6 and 5.8 mmol/l, or 65 and 105 mg/dl, then this is said to be a normal blood sugar level for a healthy person.
To maintain blood sugar levels, our pancreas produces two different hormones that keep it at the right level - insulin and glucagon (a polypeptide hormone).
Insulin
Insulin is a hormone produced by the cells of the pancreas that is released in response to glucose. Insulin is needed by most of the cells in our body, including: fat cells, muscle cells, and liver cells. This is a protein (protein), which consists of 51 types of amino acids and performs the following functions:
- Tells muscle and liver cells to store converted glucose as glucogen.
- Helps fat cells generate fat by converting glycerol and fatty acids.
- It instructs the kidneys and liver to stop producing their own glucose through a metabolic process (gluconeogenesis).
- Stimulates muscle and liver cells to produce protein from amino acids.
In summary, insulin helps the body absorb nutrients after meals by lowering blood sugar, amino acid, and fatty acid levels.
Glucagon
Glucagon is a protein produced by alpha cells. When it comes to sugar levels, it has a similar effect on cells, but the opposite is true of insulin. When sugar levels are low, clucogen instructs muscle and liver cells to activate glucose in the form of glycogen, through glycogenolysis. Stimulates the kidneys and liver to generate their own glucose through gluconeogenesis.
As a result, glucagon collects glucose from various sources within our body in order to maintain sufficient levels. If this does not happen, then the sugar level becomes very low.
How does the body understand when it is necessary to normalize sugar levels?
During the day, a normal balance between insulin and glycogen is maintained in the blood. Let's give an example of what processes occur in the body immediately after eating. After you eat your body gets amino acids, fatty acids and glucose from food. The body parses them and triggers the beta cells in your pancreas to release insulin into the blood. This process tells the pancreas not to release glycogen in order to encourage the body to use glucose as a food source. Insulin rises along with sugar levels and directs it to muscle cells, the liver for use as an energy source. This keeps the levels of glucose, amino acids and fatty acids in the blood from exceeding the norm and helps to keep the sugar level at a stable level.
There are times when you skipped your breakfast, or during the night your body needs extra resources to keep your sugar levels in order until the next meal. When you haven't eaten, your body's cells still need glucose to function properly. When blood sugar drops due to lack of food, the alpha cells of the pancreas begin to produce glycogen in order for insulin to stop being produced and command the liver and kidneys to produce glucose from glycogen stores through metabolic processes. This helps to keep sugar levels stable and avoid unpleasant health effects.
Diabetes
Sometimes the body fails, disrupting the metabolic process. As a result, enough insulin ceases to be produced or the cells of our body begin to react incorrectly to it, as a result, the blood sugar level rises. This metabolic disorder is called diabetes mellitus.
What blood sugar level is considered normal
adults
The concentration of glucose on an empty stomach in a healthy person should be between 3.6 and 5.8 mmol/l (65 and 105 mg/dl).
Sutra on an empty stomach, the blood sugar rate in adult men and women should be between 3.8 and 6.0 mmol / l (68 and 108 mg / dl).
Two hours after eating or drinking high carbohydrate foods, values should be between 6.7 and 7.8 mmol/L (120 to 140 mg/dL).
Children
Normal blood sugar levels for children 6 years of age and younger before meals are between 5 mmol/L (100 mg/dL) and 10 mmol/L (180 mg/dL). At bedtime, these values should be 6.1 mmol/L (110 mg/dL) to 11.1 mmol/L (200 mg/dL).
In children 6 to 12 years of age, sugar levels should be between 5 mmol/L (90 mg/dL) and 10 mmol/L (180 mg/dL), at bedtime 5.5 mmol/L (100 mg/dL) and 10 mmol/L l (180 mg/dl). For children aged 13 to 19, the numbers should be the same as for adults.
Blood Sugar Tables
The graph below shows a summary of blood sugar levels, however, it is not 100% accurate. Consult with your physician.
Summary of sugar (glucose) levels
Sugar reading values with a little description of what they are talking about
| Blood sugar | Index |
|---|---|
| Less than 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) on an empty stomach | Low sugar |
| 70 to 99 mg/dL (3.9 to 5.5 mmol/L) on an empty stomach | Is the normal sugar level for an adult |
| 100 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L) on an empty stomach | Lower level (prediabetes) |
| 126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L) or more based on two or more tests | Diabetes |
| Within 70-125 mg/dL (3.9-6.9 mmol/L) | Normal value taken arbitrarily |
| Between 70-111 mg/dL (3.9-6.2 mmol/L) after meals | Normal sugar level |
| Less than 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) | Hypoglycemia (initial stage) |
| 50 mg/dl (2.8 mmol/l) | Hypoglycemia (on an empty stomach) |
| Less than 50 mg/dL (2.8 mmol/L) | insulin shock |
| 145-200 mg/dL (8-11 mmol/L) after meals | Significance predates diabetes |
| Greater than 200 mg/dL (11 mmol/L) after a meal | Diabetes |
Sugar values in relation to health risk
| Blood sugar | HbA1c | mg/dl | mmol/l |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short | less than 4 | Less than 65 | Less than 3.6 |
| Optimal-normal | 4.1 | 65 | 3.8 |
| 4.2 | 72 | 4 | |
| 4.3 | 76 | 4.2 | |
| 4.4 | 80 | 4.4 | |
| 4.5 | 83 | 4.6 | |
| 4.6 | 87 | 4.8 | |
| 4.7 | 90 | 5 | |
| 4.8 | 94 | 5.2 | |
| 4.9 | 97 | 5.4 | |
| Good border | 5 | 101 | 5.6 |
| 5.1 | 105 | 5.8 | |
| 5.2 | 108 | 6 | |
| 5.3 | 112 | 6.2 | |
| 5.4 | 115 | 6.4 | |
| 5.5 | 119 | 6.6 | |
| 5.6 | 122 | 6.8 | |
| 5.7 | 129 | 7 | |
| 5.8 | 130 | 7.2 | |
| 5.9 | 133 | 7.4 | |
| There is a health risk | 6 | 137 | 7.6 |
| 6.1 | 140 | 7.8 | |
| 6.2 | 144 | 8 | |
| 6.3 | 147 | 8.2 | |
| 6.4 | 151 | 8.4 | |
| 6.5 | 155 | 8.6 | |
| 6.6 | 158 | 8.8 | |
| 6.7 | 162 | 9 | |
| 6.8 | 165 | 9.2 | |
| 6.9 | 169 | 9.4 | |
| dangerously high | 7 | 172 | 9.6 |
| 7.1 | 176 | 9.8 | |
| 7.2 | 180 | 10 | |
| 7.3 | 183 | 10.2 | |
| 7.4 | 187 | 10.4 | |
| 7.5 | 190 | 10.6 | |
| 7.6 | 194 | 10.8 | |
| 7.7 | 198 | 11 | |
| 7.8 | 201 | 11.2 | |
| 7.9 | 205 | 11.4 | |
| Possible complications | 8 | 208 | 11.6 |
| 8.1 | 212 | 11.8 | |
| 8.2 | 215 | 12 | |
| 8.3 | 219 | 12.2 | |
| 8.4 | 223 | 12.4 | |
| 8.5 | 226 | 12.6 | |
| 8.6 | 230 | 12.8 | |
| 8.7 | 233 | 13 | |
| 8.8 | 237 | 13.2 | |
| 8.9 | 240 | 13.4 | |
| Deadly dangerous | 9 | 244 | 13.6 |
| 9+ | 261+ | 13.6+ |
Signs of an abnormal sugar level
When the norm of sugar in the blood goes beyond the limit-permissible value, the following symptoms appear:
Feeling thirsty
If you are constantly thirsty, you may have high blood sugar, which may be a sign of diabetes. When your body can't keep sugar levels normal, your kidneys work harder to filter out excess sugar. At this point, they consume additional moisture from the tissues, which leads to frequent urge to urinate. The feeling of thirst is a signal to replenish the missing fluid reserves. If it is not enough, dehydration will set in.
Fatigue
Fatigue and fatigue can also be a sign of diabetes. When sugar doesn't enter the cells, but simply stays in the blood, they don't get enough energy. Therefore, you may feel slightly tired or overworked to the point that you want to take a nap.
Dizziness
Feeling confused or dizzy can be signs of high blood sugar. Your brain needs sugar to function properly, and its lack can be very dangerous, up to functional impairment, if you do not pay attention to this problem. Even an ordinary glass of fruit juice can bring sugar back to normal. If dizziness bothers you frequently, see your doctor to correct your diet or treatment in general.
Legs and hands swell
Diabetes and high blood pressure are two factors that can lead to kidney problems and impair fluid filtering. Because of this, excess fluid can accumulate in the body, which leads to swelling of the hands and feet.
Numbness and tingling
Nerve damage can also be a symptom of chronic sugar control problems. As a result of this, your arms and legs go numb, you feel pain in the limbs when the ambient temperature changes.
you lose your sight
What visual impairment looks like.
High sugar and blood pressure combined can damage the sensitive organs in your eyes and lead to poor vision. Diabetic retinopathy occurs as a result of damage to blood vessels inside the eye, which is a common problem of vision loss with age. Fog before the eyes, dots, lines or flashes are a signal to see a doctor.
As well as other signs such as:
- stomach problems (diarrhea, constipation, incontinence);
- Rapid weight loss;
- skin infections;
- Non-healing wounds.
Important: The symptoms of type 1 diabetes appear abruptly, they are pronounced and prolonged in time. In type 2 diabetes, symptoms appear slowly, are difficult to recognize, and may not appear at all.
How to measure sugar level
A device for measuring glucose in the blood.
It is very easy to measure the level of sugar in the blood, for this there are special, individual devices - glucometers. Each such device comes with special test strips.
In order to take a measurement, a small amount of blood must be applied to the strip. Next, you need to place the strip in the device. Within 5-30 seconds, the device should generate and display the result of the analysis.
The best way to take a blood sample from a finger is to prick it with a special lancet that serves this purpose. When piercing a finger, it is necessary to pre-treat the puncture site with medical alcohol.
Instrument selection advice:
There are a huge number of various models of different sizes and shapes. In order to choose the right one, it is best to consult with your doctor and clarify what are the advantages of this model over the rest.
How to Lower Your Sugar
The sugar level is measured on an empty stomach. In a healthy person, the blood sugar rate is 3.6 - 5.8 mmol / l (65 - 105 mg / dl). By measuring its level, we can say that the result will be 3 values:
- Normal sugar levels (blood glucose on an empty stomach).
- Glycemic disorders - prediabetes (glucose on an empty stomach is increased to a maximum value of 6.1 to 6.9 mmol / l (from 110 to 124 mg / dl).
- Diabetes (high blood sugar, reaching 7.0 mmol/L (126 mg/dL) or higher).
If your blood sugar level is at the highest possible level - in the pre-diabetes stage, then this does not mean at all that you will definitely have diabetes in the future.
This is a reason to start leading an active lifestyle and being treated before the disease begins to develop and takes over, and probably prevent it altogether.Dr. Greg Geretive, Head of Endocrinology, St. Peter's Hospital, Albany, New York.
In order for blood sugar to be normal, you need:
- Maintain optimal body weight;
- It is necessary to eat right, adhering to special diets (which include a lot of vegetables, fruits, fiber, few calories, fats, alcohol is excluded);
- Sleep well and take enough time to rest:
- go to bed and get up at the same time, falling asleep do not look at the TV screen, computer or your phone;
- do not drink coffee after dinner;
- Workouts for at least 30 minutes a day (including exercises, aerobics and other aerobic activities).
Can diabetes be completely cured?
There are currently no known treatments or drugs to cure diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the body cannot produce insulin because the cells responsible for its production are completely destroyed. Science does not yet know how to restore or replace them. You will constantly need insulin to keep your sugar levels normal.
In type 2 diabetes, the body simply does not know how to properly use the produced insulin (this failure of the body is called insulin resistance).
However, with the help of exercise and a proper diet, you can control your sugar levels and live a normal life.
Literature
Conklin, W., A complete guide to normal life with diabetes, 2009;
National Institute of Diabetes, Digestion and Kidney Disease: "Getting Rid of Diabetes Problems: Keeping Diabetes Under Control", "Hypoglycemia", "Kidney Diseases and Diabetes", "Nervous Disorders and Diabetes";
National Institute of Nervous Disorders and Strokes: "Peripheral Neuropathy Bulletin";
American Medical Association, American Association for Life with Diabetes, John Wiley & Sons, 2007;
National Kidney Association: "How Your Kidneys Work";
Numéurs Foundation: "Type 2 diabetes: what is it?";
University of Washington Women's Health: "Understanding Diabetes";
Home P, Munt J, Turnet S. - "Management of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a conclusion based on NICE guidelines". BMJ 2008; 336:1306-8;
American Diabetes Association: "Checking Glucose Levels", "Neurotheramia".
Cholesterol (CH) is the substance from which the human body forms atherosclerotic plaques. They are the cause of the manifestation, which is a very dangerous disease.
What is cholesterol can also be judged by the meaning of this word, which is translated from Greek as “solid bile”.
Substance belonging to the class lipids comes with food. However, in this way, only an insignificant part of cholesterol enters the body - approximately 20% of cholesterol a person receives mainly from animal products. The rest, more significant part of this substance (about 80%), is produced in the human liver.
In the human body, pure Chl is present only in small amounts, being part of lipoproteins. These compounds may have a low density (so-called bad LDL cholesterol ) and high density (so-called good HDL cholesterol ).
What should be the normal level of cholesterol in, as well as good and bad cholesterol - what it is, you can learn from this article.
Cholesterol: good, bad, total
The fact that if the indicators of Xc are above the norm, it is harmful, they say very often and actively. Therefore, many people have the impression that the lower the cholesterol, the better. But in order for all systems in the body to function normally, this substance is very important. It is important that a person's cholesterol remains normal throughout life.
It is customary to distinguish the so-called bad and good cholesterol. Low cholesterol (bad) - one that settles on the walls inside the vessels and forms plaques. It has a low or very low density, combines with special types of protein - apoproteins . As a result, they form fat-protein complexes of VLDL . It is in the event that the LDL rate rises that a health-threatening condition is noted.
VLDL - what it is, the norm of this indicator - all this information can be obtained from a specialist.
Now the norm of LDL in men and the norm of LDL in women after 50 years and at a younger age is determined by conducting tests for cholesterol and is expressed by various laboratory methods, the units of determination are mg / dl or mmol / l. It is necessary to understand, when determining LDL, that this is a value that a specialist should analyze and prescribe the appropriate treatment if LDL cholesterol is elevated. What this means depends on the indicators. So, in healthy people, this indicator is considered normal at a level below 4 mmol / l (160 mg / dl).
If a blood test indicates that cholesterol is elevated, what to do should be asked by a doctor. As a rule, if the value of such cholesterol is increased, this means that the patient will be prescribed, or this condition should be treated with medications.
Ambiguous is the question of whether to take pills for cholesterol. It should be noted that statins do not eliminate the causes in connection with which cholesterol rises. We are talking about, low mobility,. only suppress the production of this substance in the body, but at the same time they provoke numerous side effects. Sometimes cardiologists say that the use of statins is more dangerous for the body than elevated rates.
- In people with coronary artery disease who have had or, cholesterol levels must be below 2.5 mmol/l or 100 mg/dl.
- Those who do not suffer from heart disease, but at the same time have more than two of any risk factors, need to maintain cholesterol at the level of 3.3 mmol / l or below 130 mg / dl.
Bad cholesterol is opposed to the so-called good - HDL cholesterol. What is High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol? It is an indispensable substance for the body, as it collects bad cholesterol from the walls of blood vessels, after which it contributes to its removal to the liver, where it is destroyed. Many are interested: if HDL is lowered, what does this mean? It should be borne in mind that this condition is dangerous, since atherosclerosis develops not only against the background of elevated low-density cholesterol, but also if LDL is reduced. If HDL cholesterol is elevated, what does this mean, you need to ask a specialist.
That is why the most undesirable option in adults is when the level of bad Xc is increased and the useful one is lowered. According to statistics, about 60% of people of mature age have this combination of indicators. And the sooner it is possible to determine such indicators and properly treat, the lower the risk of developing dangerous diseases.
Good cholesterol, unlike bad cholesterol, is produced only by the body, so it will not work to increase its level by consuming certain foods.
The norm of good cholesterol in women is slightly higher than normal HDL cholesterol in men. The most important recommendation on how to increase its level in the blood is as follows: it is necessary to practice physical activity, during which its production increases. Even if you do ordinary exercises every day at home, this will help not only increase HDL, but also reduce bad cholesterol, which enters the body with food.
If a person took food in which the cholesterol content is very high, in order to activate its excretion, it is necessary to ensure the active work of the muscles of all groups.
Thus, for those who seek to restore the norm of LDL and HDL, it is necessary:
- move more (especially for those who have had a heart attack, stroke);
- exercise moderately;
- practice enhanced physical activity (in the absence of contraindications).
You can also increase the level of good Xc by taking a small dose of alcohol. However, in no case should it be more than one glass of dry wine per day.
It is important to take into account that excessive load threatens to suppress the synthesis of Chs.
In order to correctly decipher the blood test, one should take into account what is the norm of cholesterol in the blood of a person.
There is a table of cholesterol norms for women by age, from which, if necessary, you can find out what is the norm of cholesterol in women after 50 years, what is considered the norm in women at a young age. Accordingly, the patient can independently determine whether she has high or low cholesterol and consult a doctor who will help find out the reasons for its low or high level. It is the doctor who determines what the treatment, diet should be.
- The norm of blood cholesterol for women and men according to HDL, if the condition of the heart and blood vessels is normal, is above 1 mmol / l or 39 mg / dl.
- In people with coronary artery disease who have had a stroke or heart attack, the rate should be 1-1.5 mmol / l or 40-60 mg / dl.
The analysis also determines the norm of total cholesterol in women and men, that is, how good and bad cholesterol correlates.
Total cholesterol in the blood should be no more than 5.2 mmol / l or 200 mg / dl.
If the norm in young men is even slightly exceeded, then this must be considered a pathology.
There is also a table of cholesterol norms for men by age, according to which the norm of cholesterol in men is easily determined, its indicators at different ages. From the corresponding table, you can find out which norm of hdl-cholesterol is considered optimal
However, in order to determine whether the level in men and women is actually normal for this indicator, first of all, you need to do a blood test, which makes it possible to find out the content of total cholesterol, as well as the content of other indicators - low or high sugar, etc.
After all, even if the norm of total cholesterol is noticeably exceeded, it is impossible to determine the symptoms or special signs of such a condition. That is, a person does not even realize that the norm is exceeded, and his blood vessels are clogged or narrowed, until he begins to notice that he has heart pain, or until a stroke or heart attack occurs.
Therefore, even for a healthy person of any age, it is important to take tests and control whether the permissible cholesterol level is exceeded. Also, each person should carry out the prevention of an increase in these indicators in order to avoid the development of atherosclerosis and other serious ailments in the future.
Who needs to control cholesterol
If a person is healthy, he does not show negative symptoms, he does not need to think about the state of the vessels or check if the level is normal cholesterin takes place in the body. That is why patients often do not even know about the increased level of this substance at first.
It is especially necessary to carefully and regularly measure this indicator for those who suffer from hypertension, who have problems with the heart and blood vessels. In addition, indications for regular tests have the following categories:
- people who smoke;
- those who are sick hypertension ;
- overweight people;
- patients suffering from ailments of the cardiovascular system;
- those who prefer a sedentary life;
- women after;
- men after reaching the age of 40;
- elderly people.
Those who need to have their blood tested for cholesterol should ask the appropriate specialist how to take a cholesterol test. The blood formula, including the cholesterol content, is determined. How to donate blood for cholesterol? Such an analysis is carried out in any clinic, for this, approximately 5 ml of blood is taken from the cubital vein. Those who are interested in how to properly donate blood should take into account that before these indicators are determined, the patient should not eat for half a day. Also, in the period before blood donation, you should not practice intense physical activity.
There is also a special test for home use. These are disposable test strips that are easy to use. The portable analyzer is used by people with lipid metabolism disorders.
How to decipher a blood test
You can find out if total cholesterol is elevated by doing a blood test in the laboratory. If total cholesterol is elevated, what does it mean, how to act, and the doctor will explain everything about the treatment. But you can try to decipher the results of the analyzes yourself. To do this, you need to know that biochemical analysis contains three indicators: LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and total cholesterol.
Lipidogram is a comprehensive study that allows you to assess lipid metabolism in the body, which allows you to determine how lipid metabolism occurs and calculate the risk of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease.
The correct interpretation of the blood lipid profile is also important from the point of view of assessing the need for taking statins, the daily dose of such drugs. Statins are drugs that have many side effects, while their price is quite high. Therefore, based on what it is - a lipid profile, this analysis allows you to find out what human blood consists of and prescribe the most effective therapy for the patient.
After all, total cholesterol is an indicator that in itself does not make it possible to clearly assess the likelihood of atherosclerosis in a patient. If total cholesterol is elevated, what to do can be assessed by the full range of diagnostic indicators. Therefore, the following indicators are determined:
- HDL (alpha cholesterol) - it is determined whether high-density lipoproteins are increased or decreased. It is taken into account, when determining the parameters of β-lipoproteins, that this substance performs a protective function, preventing the development of atherosclerosis.
- LDL - low density lipoproteins are increased or decreased. The higher the beta-cholesterol index, the more the atherosclerotic process is activated.
- VLDL - very low density lipoproteins, thanks to which exogenous lipids are transported in plasma. Synthesized by the liver, they are the main precursor of LDL. VLDL are actively involved in the production of atherosclerotic plaques.
- Triglycerides are esters of higher fatty acids and glycerol. This is a transport form of fats, therefore, their high content also increases the risk of atherosclerosis.
What should be normal cholesterol is determined depending on age, it can be different for women and men. In addition, it is important to understand that there is no exact number by which the cholesterin norm is indicated. There are only recommendations on what the index should be. Therefore, if the indicator differs and deviates from the range, then this is evidence of some kind of disease.
However, those who are going to take the analysis should take into account that certain errors may be allowed during the analysis. The data of the study showed that such errors are allowed in 75% of the country's laboratories. What if you are striving to get an accurate result? It is best to do such analyzes in those laboratories that are certified by the All-Russian Central Council (Invitro, etc.)
The norm of cholesterol in women
- Normally, in women, the total chol index is 3.6-5.2 mmol / l;
- Xc, moderately elevated - 5.2 - 6.19 mmol / l;
- Cs, increased significantly - from more than 6.19 mmol / l.
- LDL cholesterol: normal - 3.5 mmol / l, elevated - from 4.0 mmol / l.
- HDL cholesterol: the normal value is 0.9-1.9 mmol / l, a level below 0.78 mmol / l is considered hazardous to health.
| № | Age (years) | Total Cholesterin (mmol/L) |
| 1 | under 5 | within 2.90-5.18 |
| 2 | 5-10 | within 2.26-5.30 |
| 3 | 10-15 | within 3.21-5.20 |
| 4 | 15-20 | within 3.08-5.18 |
| 5 | 20-25 | within 3.16-5.59 |
| 6 | 25-30 | within 3.32-5.75 |
| 7 | 30-35 | within 3.37-5.96 |
| 8 | 35-40 | within 3.63-6.27 |
| 9 | 40-45 | within 3.81-6.53 |
| 10 | 45-50 | within 3.94-6.86 |
| 11 | 50-55 | within 4.20-7.38 |
| 12 | 55-60 | within 4.45-7.77 |
| 13 | 60-65 | within 4.45-7.69 |
| 14 | 65-70 | within 4.43-7.85 |
| 15 | from 70 | within 4.48-7.25 |
Norm of cholesterol in men
- Normally, the total Chol in men is 3.6-5.2 mmol / l;
- LDL cholesterol is a normal indicator - 2.25-4.82 mmol / l;
- HDL cholesterol is a normal indicator - 0.7-1.7 mmol / l.
| № | Age (years) | Total Cholesterin (mmol/L) |
| 1 | up to 5 | within 2.95-5.25 |
| 2 | 5-10 | within 3.13-5.25 |
| 3 | 10-15 | within 3.08-5.23 |
| 4 | 15-20 | within 2.93-5.10 |
| 5 | 20-25 | within 3.16-5.59 |
| 6 | 25-30 | within 3.44-6.32 |
| 7 | 30-35 | within 3.57-6.58 |
| 8 | 35-40 | within 3.78-6.99 |
| 9 | 40-45 | within 3.91-6.94 |
| 10 | 45-50 | within 4.09-7.15 |
| 11 | 50-55 | within 4.09-7.17 |
| 12 | 55-60 | within 4.04-7.15 |
| 13 | 60-65 | within 4.12-7.15 |
| 14 | 65-70 | within 4.09-7.10 |
| 15 | from 70 | within 3.73-6.86 |
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are a specific type of fat found in human blood. They are the main source of energy and the most common type of fat in the body. A detailed blood test determines the amount of triglycerides. If it is normal, then these fats are beneficial for the body.
As a rule, triglycerides in the blood are elevated in those who consume a large number of kilocalories than they burn. At elevated levels, the so-called metabolic syndrome , in which high blood pressure is noted, blood sugar is increased, there is a low content of good cholesterin, and there is also a large amount of fat around the waist. This condition increases the likelihood of developing diabetes, stroke, and heart disease.
The norm of triglycerides is 150 mg / dl. The norm of triglycerides in women in the blood, as in men, is exceeded if the rate is more than 200 mg / dl. However, the rate is up to 400 mg / dl. marked as valid. A high level is considered to be an indicator of 400-1000 mg / dl. very high - from 1000 mg / dl.
If triglycerides are lowered, what does this mean, you need to ask your doctor. This condition is observed in lung diseases, cerebral infarction, parenchymal damage, myasthenia gravis, when taken, etc.
What is the coefficient of atherogenicity
Many are interested in what is the coefficient of atherogenicity in a biochemical blood test? Atherogenic coefficient commonly referred to as the proportional ratio of good and total cholesterin. This indicator is the most accurate display of the state of lipid metabolism in the body, as well as an assessment of the likelihood of atherosclerosis and other ailments. To calculate the atherogenic index, you need to subtract the HDL index from the total cholesterol index, after which this difference is divided by HDL.
The norm for women and the norm for men of this indicator is as follows:
- 2-2.8 - young people under 30;
- 3-3.5 - the norm for people over 30 years old who do not have signs of atherosclerosis;
- from 4 - an indicator characteristic of people suffering from coronary artery disease.
If the coefficient of atherogenicity is below normal, then this is not a cause for concern. Conversely, if the coefficient is lowered, then the risk of atherosclerosis in a person is low.
It is important to pay attention to the patient's condition if the atherogenic coefficient is elevated. What is it and how to act in this case, the specialist will tell. If the patient has an increased atherogenic coefficient, the reasons for this are due to the fact that bad cholesterol is increased in the body. What to do in such a situation? First of all, you need to contact a qualified doctor who will adequately assess the atherogenic index. What this means can only be clearly assessed and explained by a specialist.
atherogenicity - this is the main criterion for monitoring how effective hypercholesterolemia therapy is. You should strive to restore the norm of lipoproteins. At the same time, it is important to ensure not only a decrease in total cholesterin, but also an increase in high-density lipoproteins. Therefore, the decoding of the blood lipid spectrum provides that β-lipoproteins, the norm for women and men of which, as already indicated, is different, must be taken into account when assessing the patient's condition.
Other studies in high cholesterol
If there is a risk of atherosclerosis, it is determined not only in lipoproteins (the norm in the blood), but also other important indicators, in particular, the norm of PTI in the blood in women and men. PTI - this is the prothrombin index, one of the most important factors of the coagulogram, the study of the state of the blood coagulation system.
However, at present in medicine there is a more stable indicator - INR , which stands for international normalization relation. With an increased rate, there is a risk of bleeding. If the INR is elevated, what does this mean, the specialist will explain in detail.
Determining hgb () is also important, since with a high cholesterol level, hemoglobin levels can be very high, and this increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, thrombosis, etc. You can find out from a specialist how much hemoglobin should be normal.
Other indicators and markers (he4), etc. are determined in people with high cholesterol, if necessary.
What to do to normalize cholesterol?
Many people, having received the test results and found out that they have cholesterol 7 or cholesterol 8, simply have no idea what to do. The basic rule in this case is as follows: a clinical blood test should be deciphered by a specialist whose recommendations should be followed. That is, if low-density lipoproteins are elevated, what it is, the doctor should explain. In the same way, if there is low cholesterol in the blood, what does this mean, you should ask a specialist.
As a rule, it is important that it be strictly observed in men as well as in women. It is easy to understand in her conditions. It is enough just not to consume foods with saturated fats, and dangerous dietary cholesterol. Some important tips to keep in mind:
- significantly reduce the amount of animal fats in the diet;
- reduce portions of fatty meat, remove skin from poultry before consumption;
- reduce portions of butter, mayonnaise, sour cream with high fat content;
- prefer boiled rather than fried foods;
- you can eat eggs without abusing;
- the diet should contain a maximum of healthy fiber (apples, beets, legumes, carrots, cabbage, kiwi, etc.);
- it is useful to consume vegetable oils, fish.
If Сholesterin is elevated at, it is important to follow the doctor's recommendations very clearly - it is he who will tell you which nutrition scheme is most relevant in this case.
Seeing cholesterol 6.6 or cholesterol 9 in the test results, what to do, the patient should ask a specialist. It is likely that the doctor will prescribe treatment, guided by the individual indicators of the patient.
It should be clearly remembered that the normal level of Chl is the key to the health of your blood vessels and heart, and do everything to improve these indicators.
Normal fat metabolism takes place if the indicators are close to the following values.
Cholesterol in the blood: value, analysis and deviations from the norm, what to do with increased
Cholesterol in modern man is considered the main enemy, although a few decades ago it was not given such great importance. Being carried away by new, not so long ago invented products, often in their composition very far from those that our ancestors used, ignoring the diet, a person often does not understand that the main share of the blame for the excessive accumulation of cholesterol and its harmful fractions lies with himself. Does not help fight cholesterol and the "crazy" rhythm of life, predisposing to violation metabolic processes and deposition of excess fat-like substance on the walls of arterial vessels.
What is good and bad about it?
Constantly "scoldling" this substance, the people forget that it is necessary for a person, since it brings a lot of benefits. What is good about cholesterol and why it should not be excluded from our lives? So, its best features:
- A secondary monohydric alcohol, a fat-like substance called cholesterol, in the free state, together with phospholipids, is part of the lipid structure of cell membranes and ensures their stability.
- Cholesterol in the human body, breaking down, serves as a source of formation of hormones of the adrenal cortex (corticosteroids), vitamin D 3 and bile acids, which play the role of fat emulsifiers, that is, it is a precursor of highly active biological substances.
But on the other side Cholesterol can be the cause of various troubles:
Patients often discuss the bad properties of cholesterol among themselves, share experiences and recipes on how to lower it, but this can be useless if everything is done at random. To slightly reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood (again - what?) Diet, folk remedies and a new lifestyle aimed at improving health will help. To successfully resolve the issue, it is necessary not only to take total cholesterol as a basis in order to change its values, it is necessary to figure out which of the fractions should be lowered so that the others themselves return to normal.
How to decipher the analysis?
The norm of cholesterol in the blood should not exceed 5.2 mmol / l, however, even a concentration value approaching 5.0 cannot give complete confidence that everything is good in a person, since the content of total cholesterol is not an absolutely reliable sign of well-being. The normal level of cholesterol in a certain proportion is made up of different indicators, which cannot be determined without a special analysis called the lipid spectrum.
The composition of LDL cholesterol (atherogenic lipoprotein), in addition to LDL, includes very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and "remnants" (the so-called residues from the reaction of the transition of VLDL to LDL). All this may seem very complicated, however, if you look at it, then anyone interested can master the decoding of the lipid spectrum.
Usually, when conducting biochemical analyzes for cholesterol and its fractions, the following are isolated:
- Total cholesterol (normal up to 5.2 mmol / l or less than 200 mg / dl).
- The main "vehicle" of cholesterol esters is low-density lipoprotein (LDL). They in a healthy person have their 60-65% of the total (or the level of cholesterol LDL (LDL + VLDL) does not exceed 3.37 mmol/l). In those patients who have already been affected by atherosclerosis, LDL-C values may increase markedly, which occurs due to a decrease in the content of anti-atherogenic lipoproteins, that is, this indicator is more informative in relation to atherosclerosis than the level of total cholesterol in the blood.
- high density lipoproteins(HDL cholesterol or HDL cholesterol), which normally women should have more than 1.68 mmol/l(for men, the lower limit is different - higher 1.3 mmol/l). In other sources, you can find somewhat different numbers (in women - above 1.9 mmol / l or 500-600 mg / l, in men - above 1.6 or 400-500 mg / l), it depends on the characteristics of the reagents and the methodology carrying out the reaction. If the level of HDL cholesterol becomes less than acceptable values, they cannot fully protect the vessels.
- An indicator such as atherogenic coefficient, which indicates the degree of development of the atherosclerotic process, but is not the main diagnostic criterion, is calculated by the formula: CA \u003d (OH - HDL-C) : HDL-C, its normal values range from 2-3.
Cholesterol tests do not require the isolation of all fractions separately. For example, VLDL can be easily calculated from the concentration using the formula (VLDL-C = TG: 2.2) or subtract the sum of high and very low density lipoproteins from total cholesterol and get LDL-C. Perhaps these calculations will not seem interesting to the reader, because they are given only for informational purposes (to have an idea about the components of the lipid spectrum). In any case, the doctor is engaged in decoding, he also makes the necessary calculations for the positions of interest to him.
More about blood cholesterol levels
Perhaps readers have come across information that the norm of cholesterol in the blood is up to 7.8 mmol / l. Then they can imagine what a cardiologist will say when they see such an analysis. Definitely - he will prescribe the entire lipid spectrum. Therefore, once again: a normal cholesterol level is an indicator up to 5.2 mmol/l(recommended values), borderline up to 6.5 mmol / l (risk of development!), and everything above, respectively, elevated (cholesterol is dangerous in high numbers and, probably, the atherosclerotic process is in full swing).
Thus, the concentration of total cholesterol in the range of 5.2 - 6.5 mmol / l is the basis for a test that determines the level of cholesterol of anti-atherogenic lipoproteins (HDL-C). Analysis for cholesterol should be carried out after 2 to 4 weeks without abandoning the diet and the use of medications, testing is repeated every 3 months.
About the lower bound
Everyone knows and talks about high cholesterol, trying to reduce it by all available means, but almost never take into account the lower limit of normal. It's like she doesn't exist. Meanwhile, low blood cholesterol can be present and accompany quite serious conditions:
- Prolonged fasting until exhaustion.
- Neoplastic processes (depletion of a person and the absorption of cholesterol from his blood by a malignant neoplasm).
- Severe liver damage (the last stage of cirrhosis, dystrophic changes and infectious lesions of the parenchyma).
- Lung diseases (tuberculosis, sarcoidosis).
- Hyperthyroidism.
- (megaloblastic, thalassemia).
- Damage to the CNS (central nervous system).
- Prolonged fever.
- Typhus.
- Burns with significant damage to the skin.
- Inflammatory processes in soft tissues with suppuration.
- Sepsis.
As for the fractions of cholesterol, they also have lower limits. For example, lowering high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels beyond 0.9 mmol/l (antiatherogenic) accompanies risk factors for coronary artery disease(physical inactivity, bad habits, overweight,), that is, it is clear that people develop a tendency, because their vessels are not protected, because HDL becomes unacceptably low.
Low blood cholesterol, which is low-density lipoprotein (LDL), is observed in the same pathological conditions as total cholesterol (wasting, tumors, severe diseases of the liver, lungs, anemia, etc.).
Cholesterol in the blood is elevated
First, about the causes of high cholesterol, although, probably, they have already been known to everyone for a long time:
- Our food and above all - products of animal origin (meat, whole fat milk, eggs, cheeses of various varieties), containing saturated fatty acids and cholesterol. The craze for chips and all sorts of fast, tasty, satisfying fast foods saturated with various trans fats also does not bode well. Conclusion: such cholesterol is dangerous and its consumption should be avoided.
- Body mass- excess increases the level of triglycerides and reduces the concentration of high-density lipoproteins (anti-atherogenic).
- Physical activity. Physical inactivity is a risk factor.
- Age over 50 and male gender.
- Heredity. Sometimes high cholesterol is a family problem.
- Smoking not that it greatly increased total cholesterol, but it well reduces the level of the protective fraction (Cholesterol - HDL).
- Taking certain medications(hormones, diuretics, beta-blockers).
Thus, it is not difficult to guess to whom the cholesterol test is prescribed in the first place.
Diseases with high cholesterol
Since so much has been said about the dangers of high cholesterol and the origin of such a phenomenon, then it would probably be useful to note under what circumstances this figure will increase, since they are also to some extent can cause high cholesterol in the blood:
- Hereditary disorders of metabolic processes (family variants due to metabolic disorders). As a rule, these are severe forms, characterized by early manifestation and special resistance to therapeutic measures;
- Cardiac ischemia;
- Various pathologies of the liver (hepatitis, jaundice of non-hepatic origin, obstructive jaundice, primary biliary cirrhosis);
- Severe kidney disease with renal failure and edema:
- Hypothyroidism (hypothyroidism);
- Inflammatory and neoplastic diseases of the pancreas (pancreatitis, cancer);
- (it is difficult to imagine a diabetic without high cholesterol - this is, in general, a rarity);
- Pathological conditions of the pituitary gland with a decrease in the production of somatotropin;
- Obesity;
- Alcoholism (in alcoholics who drink, but do not eat, cholesterol is elevated, but atherosclerosis does not develop often);
- Pregnancy (the condition is temporary, the body will fix everything after the expiration date, but the diet and other prescriptions for a pregnant woman will not interfere).
Of course, in such situations, patients no longer think about how to lower cholesterol, all efforts are aimed at combating the underlying disease. Well, those who are still not so bad have a chance to save their vessels, but it will not work to return them to their original state.
Fight against cholesterol
As soon as a person learned about his problems in the lipid spectrum, studied the literature on the topic, listened to the recommendations of doctors and just knowledgeable people, his first desire is to lower the level of this harmful substance, that is, to start treating high cholesterol.
The most impatient people ask to immediately prescribe them medicines, others prefer to do without "chemistry". It should be noted that the opponents of drugs are right in many respects - you need to change yourself. To do this, patients switch to and become a little vegetarian in order to free their blood from “bad” components and prevent new ones from getting into fatty foods.
Food and cholesterol:
A person changes his way of thinking, he tries to move more, visits the pool, prefers outdoor activities, removes bad habits. For some people, the desire to lower cholesterol becomes the meaning of life, and they begin to actively engage in their health. And it is right!
What is needed for success?
Among other things, in search of the most effective remedy for cholesterol problems, many people are addicted to those formations that have already settled on the walls of the arteries and damage them in some places. Cholesterol is dangerous in a certain form (Cholesterol - LDL, Cholesterol - VLDL) and its harmfulness lies in the fact that it contributes to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques on the walls of arterial vessels. Such activities (the fight against plaques) undoubtedly have a positive effect in terms of general cleansing, preventing excessive accumulation of harmful substances, and stopping the development of the atherosclerotic process. However, with regard to the removal of cholesterol plaques, the reader will have to be somewhat upset here. Once formed, they never go anywhere. The main thing is to prevent the formation of new ones, and this will already be a success.
When things go too far, folk remedies stop working, and the diet no longer helps, the doctor prescribes cholesterol-lowering drugs (most likely, these will be statins).
Difficult treatment
(lovastatin, fluvastatin, pravastatin, etc.), reducing the level of cholesterol produced by the patient's liver, reduce the risk of development (ischemic stroke) and, thereby, help the patient avoid death from this pathology. In addition, there are combined statins (Vitorin, Advicor, Kaduet), which not only reduce the amount of cholesterol produced in the body, but also perform other functions, for example, lower blood pressure, affect the ratio of "bad" and "good" cholesterol.
The likelihood of receiving drug therapy immediately after determining the lipid spectrum increases at patients with diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, problems with coronary vessels, since the risk of getting myocardial infarction is much higher.
In no case should you follow the advice of acquaintances, the World Wide Web and other dubious sources. Medicines of this group are prescribed only by a doctor! Statins are not always combined with other drugs that the patient is forced to constantly take in the presence of chronic diseases, so his independence will be absolutely inappropriate. In addition, during the treatment of high cholesterol, the doctor continues to monitor the patient's condition, monitors the lipid spectrum, supplements or cancels therapy.
Who is first in line for analysis?
It is hardly possible to expect a lipid spectrum in the list of priority biochemical studies used in pediatrics. An analysis for cholesterol is usually taken by people with some life experience, often male and well-fed physique, burdened by the presence of risk factors and early manifestations of the atherosclerotic process. Reasons for conducting appropriate tests include:
- Cardiovascular diseases, and first of all - coronary heart disease (patients with coronary artery disease are more aware of the lipid profile than others);
- Arterial hypertension;
- Increased content; (hyperuricemia);
- The presence of bad habits in the form of smoking;
- Obesity;
- The use of corticosteroid hormones, diuretics, beta-blockers.
- Treatment with cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins).
An analysis for cholesterol is taken on an empty stomach from a vein. On the eve of the study, the patient should adhere to a hypocholesterol diet and lengthen night fasting to 14-16 hours, however, the doctor will inform him about this.
The indicator of total cholesterol is determined in the blood serum after centrifugation, triglycerides too, but you will have to work on the sedimentation of fractions, this is a more time-consuming study, but in any case, the patient will know about its results by the end of the day. What to do next - the numbers and the doctor will tell you.
Video: what the tests say. Cholesterol
after payment, ask your question in the form below ↓ Step 3: You can additionally thank the specialist with another payment for an arbitrary amount
