This organic fat-like substance performs many important functions. Without it, the synthesis of hormones, the absorption of most vitamins, the formation of bile acids, and hematopoiesis are impossible. Most of the cholesterol is produced inside the body, about 20% comes from the outside, with food. An increase in the level of this compound is fraught with the development of atherosclerosis and other diseases. Excess cholesterol fills the lumen of blood vessels and settles in the gallbladder in the form of stones.
What is good and bad cholesterol
In tissues and blood, cholesterol forms special complexes with groups of lipoprotein proteins. They ensure its stable suspended state. Some of them have high density, others low. These properties of lipoproteins determine the types of cholesterol:
- “good”: HDL, protects cells from damage, ensures normal blood flow and vascular elasticity;
- “bad”: LDL, prone to precipitation, forming atherosclerotic plaques.
It is low-density cholesterol that is meant when they talk about its harm to health. This is true, since its excess is directly related to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, poor circulation and the risk of strokes. LDL promotes the accumulation of triglycerides - simple fatty acids, overloads the liver, and contributes to the development of gallstones. High-density cholesterol inhibits these pathological processes and partially neutralizes the effect of the “bad”.
Drug therapy
To reduce triglycerides in the blood of women to normal levels, the following groups of drugs are used:
- Group of fibrates - the decrease occurs due to a decrease in the synthesis of lipoproteins, which transport triglyceride molecules through the bloodstream;
- Preparations with nicotinic acid have the properties of an acid, like fibrate medications, but only they also increase HDL molecules in the blood of women;
- A group of statin drugs - reduce triglycerides with low-density lipoprotein molecules;
- Omega-3 drugs - reduces TG.
Measuring cholesterol levels: general norms
To determine the level of cholesterol in the blood, a special unit is used: millimoles (mmol). Calculate the number of mmol per 1 liter of biological fluid. The total cholesterol content is important, as is the concentration of HDL and LDL separately. The level of triglycerides in the blood is also important, which is used to judge the risk of atherosclerotic changes in the body, disorders of fat metabolism and liver function.
- Normal total cholesterol: 3–7.8 mmol/l. During life it fluctuates depending on age and hormonal status. This is the average rate throughout life, the same for men and women.
- Low-density cholesterol—“bad” LDL—ideally should range between 1.8–2.8 mmol/L. The upper limit for women is up to 4.5 mmol/l. For men - up to 4.8 mmol/l. Its limit level: 5.7 mmol/l.
- The level of high-density “good” HDL is normally half that of “bad”: 0.8–2.4 mmol/l for women and 0.7–1.7 mmol/l for men.
The higher the low-density cholesterol level, the more critical the health condition. Especially if the level of a good high-density connection does not reach the norm:
- A regular increase in LDL levels to 4 or more mmol/l is dangerous;
- a constant decrease in LPV to 0.7 mmol/l also signals problems in the body.
Triglycerides are measured in the same way as other cholesterol levels. Their normal level in the blood throughout life is up to 2.2 mmol/l. It is the same for the male and female halves of humanity.
Signs of violations:
- elevated triglyceride levels: 2.3–5.6 mmol/l;
- dangerously high, signaling a disease: 5.7 mmol/l or more.
The risk of developing atherosclerosis is real at any age, but young people are more protected from it due to their high metabolic rate. Their cholesterol is quickly consumed by hormones and other physiological processes. Estrogen protects women from deposits of fatty plaques in blood vessels. However, with a sedentary lifestyle, a love of unhealthy foods, or the presence of systemic diseases, cholesterol also increases in young people. Over the years, its level grows even faster.
Triglyceride molecules
The triglyceride molecule is a complex lipid compound that is the main supplier of nutrition and energy to every cell of the female body. Triglycerides are derivatives of glycerol compounds that enter a woman’s body with food.
The main suppliers of these molecules to the body are the following foods:
- Fatty meats;
- Lard;
- Meat by-products;
- All varieties of nuts;
- Vegetable oils.
After entering the female body with food, triglyceride molecules enter the lipid process through liver and intestinal cells.
With the help of the mucous membrane of the walls of the small intestine, the molecules enter the blood and disperse through the bloodstream to the cells of the body.
Unused triglycenin calories are stored in fat on the abdomen and thighs.
Triglycerides
Changes in cholesterol standards by age in women
Differences in metabolism and the functioning of body systems at each stage of life also affect cholesterol levels. Over the years, due to a slowdown in metabolism, it inevitably increases. Changing total cholesterol averages for women:
- up to 5 years: from 2.90 to 5.18 mmol/l;
- 5-10 years: from 2.26 to 5.30 mmol/l;
- 10-15 years: from 3.21 to 5.20 mmol/l;
- 15-25 years: from 3.10-5.5 mmol/l;
- 25-35 years: from 3.37 to 5.96 mmol/l;
- 35-40 years: from 3.63 to 6.27 mmol/l;
- 40-50 years: from 3.81 to 6.53 mmol/l;
- 50-60 years: from 4.45 to 7.77 mmol/l;
- 60-70 years: from 4.45 to 7.69 mmol/l;
- 70 years or more: from 4.48 to 7.25 mmol/l.
A significant increase in the upper limit of indicators in women over 60 years of age is explained by the decline of ovarian function. During this period, the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and osteoporosis increases.
Treatment of triglycerides above normal
There are 2 methods for reducing TG molecules:
- Non-drug therapy - lifestyle and nutrition adjustments;
- Drug therapy.
The basis of non-drug therapy for TG levels above normal is diet. With the help of a balanced diet, you can reduce triglycerides by up to 25.0%.
It is necessary to include in the diet of women the following products:
- Sea fish and seafood;
- Garlic and fresh vegetables;
- Lean meats;
- Fresh fruits and herbs;
- Eliminate carbonated drinks from the menu;
- Do not eat white bread and pastries;
- Boiled and smoked sausage;
- Pickles and marinades;
- Alcohol;
- Lard and fatty meat.
Fats in the diet should not exceed 30.0% and the main share should be vegetable oils.
Lean meats
Changes in cholesterol levels over the years in men
Men are naturally protected from atherosclerosis less than women. They do not have a high level of estrogen in the body, but they have a higher craving for bad habits that increase the risk of dangerous diseases.
Norms of total cholesterol in men:
- up to 5 years: from 2.95-5.25 mmol/l;
- 5-10 years: from 3.13 to 5.25 mmol/l;
- 10-15 years: from 3.08 to 5.23 mmol/l;
- 15-25 years: from 2.93 to 5.59 mmol/l;
- 25-35 years: from 3.44-6.58 mmol/l;
- 35-40 years: from 3.78-6.99 mmol/l;
- 40-50 years: from 3.91 to 7.15 mmol/l;
- 50-60 years: from 4.09 to 7.17 mmol/l;
- 60-70 years: from 4.12 to 7.15 mmol/l
- 70 years or more: from 3.73 to 7.86 mmol/l.
The closer the cholesterol level is to the lower limit of normal, the safer it is for blood vessels and the heart. Regular levels exceeding 5–6 mmol/l signal the need to prevent atherosclerosis. It is especially important to monitor indicators for men over 50 years of age. From this age their growth accelerates.
Indications for the study
Triglycerides in the blood (the norm in women by age is determined according to the normal state of the body) can increase due to various reasons, the development of which should consult a doctor.
The procedure is carried out according to the recommendations of a specialist and only if there are certain indications - symptoms that may indicate the presence of a disorder.
Recommendations for the purpose of the study:
- preventive examination (including pregnancy);
- the presence of cardiovascular disorders (especially if atherosclerosis is suspected);
- coronary heart disease (CHD);
- monitoring the effectiveness of the prescribed diet when taking medications that reduce TG;
- diabetes;
- stroke;
- age over 55 years (menopause);
- inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis);
- myocardial infarction;
- gout;
- obesity (sedentary lifestyle);
- congenital diseases that disrupt lipid metabolism.
The analysis is also necessary for patients who abuse fatty foods and alcohol. Diagnosis is also carried out for those who have relatives in their family or family with diseases that disrupt lipid metabolism.
Ways to Maintain Normal Cholesterol Levels
High levels are recorded in a biochemical blood test. If the numbers regularly exceed the norm, it is important to undergo a medical examination of the thyroid, pancreas, liver, and take a hormonal profile test. To normalize fat metabolism, courses of antilipid drugs are prescribed.
A therapeutic diet low in meat and dairy products also helps lower total cholesterol. It is useful to include sea fish containing Omega-3 complex, olive, flaxseed, sunflower oils, fresh vegetables, and herbs in your food.
Testing triglyceride levels
A test for triglycerides is taken in the morning on an empty stomach and only from venous blood.
On the eve of the blood sampling procedure, it is recommended to avoid eating the following products that may affect the result of the biochemical analysis:
- Fatty foods;
- Fried food;
- Smoked and salted products;
- Mayonnaise and industrial sauces.
Dinner should be light food with the maximum amount of vegetables and no later than 19:00. 30 minutes - 1 hour before the blood sampling procedure, do not smoke, because the TG index in the blood may show in the analysis significantly higher than normal.
Typically, a TG test is taken as part of a lipid spectrum, which shows the index of all lipoprotein fractions in the lipid profile:
- Total cholesterol index;
- Low molecular density lipoprotein indicator;
- High molecular density lipoproteins.
On the eve of the blood sampling procedure, it is recommended to avoid fatty foods.
Progress of the study, waiting times for results
The procedure involves taking venous blood and then studying it in a laboratory setting. The analysis is taken using a medical syringe in a hospital setting (doctor's office). The resulting sample is placed in a special flask and sent to the laboratory in a container.
As a rule, in regional clinics you can get results and a transcript of the analysis within 3 days. In private clinics you can get results the very next day.
In case of emergency analysis, the results can be ready within 1-3 hours.
What affects the reliability of the study
In some cases, diagnostics may produce incorrect or completely incorrect results.
This may be due to the following factors:
- eating before the test;
- taking various medications;
- infectious damage to the body (testing is recommended no earlier than 1.5 months after recovery);
- recent surgical interventions;
- pregnancy;
- taking drugs or abruptly quitting them;
- kidney and liver diseases;
- diabetes.
Preparation for the procedure and a preliminary consultation with a doctor will help to avoid incorrect display of the results, so it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with its rules in advance or consult a specialist about this.
