Is that really my blood?

[dreamshark]

I got back the results of my routine blood tests and they are so unreasonably good that I half wonder if they mixed up my blood with somebody else's. The glucose number (81) has always been good, so that's no big surprise. First time for the thyroid and kidney function tests, so nothing to compare those with. But is that my cholesterol??? 181? I was pretty sure that my cholesterol has typically been in the 200-210 range. I found the folder where I keep my lab results, and here's what I find:

1990 total cholesterol=210 HDL=31 ratio=6.7
1994 total cholesterol=210 Hdl=41 ratio=5.1
1997 total cholesterol=223 HDL=55 ratio=4.0
1999 total cholesterol=199 HDL=46 ratio=4.3
2004 total cholesterol=206 HDL=52 ratio=4.0
2008 total cholesterol=181 HDL=53 ratio=3.5

I'm thrilled, but a little skeptical. Why would my cholesterol suddenly plunge 20 points? The only thing I can think of is that I've been taking my lunch to work regularly for the last two years, which means I eat fast food very rarely. Could that one factor make that much difference? And if that's it, why isn't my blood pressure down, too?

Comments

[skylarker.livejournal.com]

You've been exercising a lot this year, right? Biking, skating, etc? That could account for the difference from all I've heard.

[dreamshark.livejournal.com]

I exercised just as much in 2004, which is when I started the bike commuting thing. I also lost more weight in 2004 than I did in 2007 (I keep losing and regaining the same 30 pounds).

[skylarker.livejournal.com]

Huh. Are you eating healthier?

[laurel]

If you've been consuming more "good fat" or whatever they call it, that might account for it. Omega 3 oils from fish, nuts, etc.

[cakmpls.livejournal.com]

Because bodies are weird?

[vgqn.livejournal.com]

Certainly food and exercise are supposed to affect cholesterol, at least for some people. It seems to me that not eating fast food could have a big effect.

Congrats!