An HDL level of 60 mg/dL (1.56 mmol/L) or higher protects against heart disease.

HDL cholesterol levels of 40 mg/dL (1.04 mmol/L) or lower increase your risk of developing heart disease, especially if you also have high total cholesterol levels.

Very high cholesterol and triglyceride levels may be caused by an inherited form of high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia or hyperlipidemia).

Many conditions, and even prescription medications, can affect cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Your health professional will talk with you about any abnormal results that may be related to your other health problems. Cholesterol is NOT a disease, it is merely one marker for the possibility of heart disease. There was a time not so long ago that 300 was acceptable and, before that, 500, so cholesterol levels alone should not be used as the sole source of heart disease risk. Modern science is recognizing that inflammation in the body may be a more significant sign of heart disease risk than cholesterol. 

C-Reative Protein Levels

A high or increasing amount of CRP in your blood suggests that you have an acute infection or inflammation. In a healthy person, CRP is usually less than 10 mg/L. Most infections and inflammations result in CRP levels above 100 mg/L.

If the CRP level in your blood drops, it means that you are getting better and inflammation is being reduced.

When your results fall below 10 mg/L, you no longer have clinically active inflammation.

What Affects the Test

Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include:

Medicines, such as diuretics, corticosteroids, male sex hormones (androgens), tranquilizers, estrogen, birth control pills, antibiotics, and niacin (vitamin B₃).

Physical stress, such as infection, heart attack, surgery.

Eating 9 to 12 hours before the test.

Other conditions, such as hypothyroidism, diabetes, or kidney or liver disease.

Alcohol or drug abuse or withdrawal.

Liver disease (such as cirrhosis or hepatitis), malnutrition, or hyperthyroidism.

Pregnancy. Values are the highest during the third trimester and usually return to the pre-pregnancy levels after delivery of the baby.

Thyroid
Too many people are displaying thyroid dysfunction, to the point that we wonder if it is diet-related, lack of exercise or lengthy use of certain prescription drugs (such as steroids, birth control pills and antibiotics, all of which alter hormone balance - thyroid dysfunction is likely a hormone balance issue!). Soy has been found to cause thyroid dysfunction, probably because soy is a plant estrogen source (you may read more about soy by typing SOY into the Search the KnowledgeBase box). Using progesterone creme (such as Kokoro Women's Balance Creme) may aid in balancing thyroid function by balancing hormones (Men would use Kokoro Men's Prostate Creme). Raw pancreas glandular or Thyroid Metabolic Advantage are helpful in providing nutrients to the thyroid, as is using sea salt (make sure there is natural iodine listed in the ingredients). If extremities are cold, try raw pituitary glandular too. Supplements that aid with cleansing and rebuilding the thyroid, adrenals, pituitary and pancreas include probiotics (FloraMax50 or SupremaDophilus), PSOE's (Vital Proteozymes, Ultra Proteozymes or Wobenzym) and immune function enhancers (Vital ImmuSol or NSC-100). Follow the Anti-fungal Diet to avoid processed and grain-based foods, alcohol, sugars and chemical sugar sweeteners.

Blood Sugar Levels

A blood sugar level of up to 100 mg/dL is considered normal, while people with levels between 100 and 125 mg/dL are considered to have impaired fasting glucose or prediabetes. Diabetes is typically diagnosed when the fasting blood glucose levels rise to 126 mg/dL or higher. The Blood Sugar/Metabolism Package or Glucose Support aids with metabolising carbohydrates/sugars, while probiotics are necessary to control yeast overgrowth throughout the gastrointestinal/urinary tract.