$Unique_ID{BRK01364}
$Pretitle{Ill Defined Symptoms and Rare Diseases}
$Title{Is There is Such a Thing as a "0" Cholesterol Level?}
$Subject{cholesterol count}
$Volume{N}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Is There is Such a Thing as a "0" Cholesterol Level?


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QUESTION:  A question regarding the cholesterol count.  I dropped mine from
248 to 208 in three months by eating low fat foods, and am still working at
it.  What I want to know about this is if there is such a thing as a "0"
cholesterol level?  If not, what is the best level under 200 that one could or
should maintain.  I would like to go for a perfect score.

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ANSWER:  Good for you and you are doing just fine so far.  No, there is no
such thing as a zero level cholesterol.  The lowest numbers are found at birth
when the levels are below 100 mg/dl.  The levels then rise gradually through
the young and teen age years when they dip just a bit.  Then they begin to
rise again throughout adulthood.  Woman generally have lower levels until
after menopause when the begin to surpass men.  At present most physicians use
the classification of cholesterol levels established by the National Heart,
Lung and Blood Institute.  They divide the "total blood cholesterol" levels
into three groups, women and men being treated equally.  Anything over 240
mg/dl is considered "high", with important implications and risks for heart
disease.  Levels between 200 -239 mg/dl are considered "borderline high",
while anything below 200 mg/dl is classified as "desirable".  Since
cholesterol levels vary considerable depending a good deal on sex and age, no
"perfect score" has ever been established, though by the sounds of it, you may
well be the first to reach it!
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
