is 5.4 bad for a cholesterol test?

[MoreSpamThanGlam]

My docs receptionist told me it was normal.

Ive looked it up and there are such conflicting ideas about what is normal.

The normal ranges have been revised, and the method of measurement slightly changed. The upper limit of the normal range for total cholesterol is now 5 mmol/L. But I think calculations of your cardiovascular risk will be based on your total cholesterol:HDL ratio (should be < 4) or your non-HDL cholesterol (should be < 4 mmol/L), so a total cholesterol level by itself doesn't tell you very much.

Mine is 5.2 I had one of those over 40 health checks done, they said it was fine it's more than one type of cholesterol they take into account. They did my height and weight for BMI how much exercise I do and blood pressure. Then they look on a graph at what your risk of cardio vascular disease is over the next ten years, mine was so low it didn't even register on the chart, so my cholesterol must be okay.

Mine is 6.1

I have good amounts of HDL and the ratio is acceptable. Other risk factors have also been checked & GP satisfied.

I am slim & active but there is elevated cholesterol in family.

I am mindful of result though & try to optmise my health.

The overall number is almost meaningless, it's the balance of good to bad that's important.

www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/08/180825081724.htm

This says too much HDL may be harmful.

Mine is 8 or 9 something. They lowered the standard recently (from 6?) to 5 so anything around 5 is fine. On the plus side my good count is high too but I don't want to take statins as I already take tons of stuff and lots of doctors say not to bother unless you have heart problems too (my blood pressure is low)