I'm looking over my cholesterol results and I'm trying to figure out what they mean. My total cholesterol is 198mg, triglycerides are at 236mg, HDL cholesterol is 40mg, non-HDL cholesterol is 158mg, and my LDL cholesterol is 130mg. Plus, the atherosclerosis index is 5. Does this report look alright, or is there something off? If there's a problem, should I be thinking about medication?
Based on these values, your cholesterol levels are not optimal. To improve your cholesterol levels, you can make lifestyle changes such as adopting a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and avoiding smoking. If lifestyle changes alone are not sufficient, medication may be prescribed by a healthcare provider. In your case, considering your lipid profile, a statin medication such as Atorvastatin (Lipitor) may be recommended. The usual starting dose for Atorvastatin is 10-20mg once daily. However, the specific medication and dosage should be determined by a healthcare provider after a thorough evaluation.