Is Cholesterol Level Of 242 A Cause For Concern?

Posted on Wed, 9 Dec 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 9 Dec 2015 Answered on

Mon, 4 Jan 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I had my physical in Aug. and was shocked when my cholestral had risen 22 points. I do not even eat meat. I have Sjogrens Syndrome and I see my Rheumatologist every 3 months. Well 6 weeks after my physcial I had an insurance exam. I received my report in the mail showing my cholestral was now 242. What could be causing this? and should I be conserned?

Answered by Dr. Sandip Kabra (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Nothing to be concerned much.Do not worry.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to health care magic,

Cholesterol 242 level is slightly high but it is not alarming level that you should be worried.There is nothing concerned about it.

If you can tell me other bad cholesterol (triglycerides,LDL,VLDL) level and HDL (good cholesterol) with chol/hdl ratio then I will be able to say exactly.

Only cholesterol (even slightly on higher side) value does not have much clinical significance.

Also,our blood lipid profile keeps fluctuating all the time according to our diet and physical workouts.Total cholesterol level can also be raised due to high carbohydrate diet and lack of enough physical work.

I would not be personally worried about this findings and will tell my patient not be concerned much.

Hope this will help and let me know if you have more doubts.

Regards,

Dr XXXXXXX kabra

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj