Answer
The recommended levels of serum lipids for a healthy adult are the following:
Total cholesterol (TC) : 200 mg/dL
Low density lipoproteins(LDL) : 130 mg/dL
High density lipoprotein :> 60 mg/dL
The laboratory values for Glenn' serum lipids are TC 300 mg/dL ; LDL 175 mg/dL; HDL 175 mg/dL. These values are not normal or healthy.
First, Glenn's total cholesterol level is too high it should be lowered. Second, his LDL also needs to be lowered, and third his HDL is too low by at
least 30 mg/dL-- it needs to be boosted up. Finally Glenn's TC:HDL ratio is 15--too high.
The rationale for this advice is the following:
A TC:HDL ratio of more than 4 is not good; Glenn's ratio makes him very susceptible to coronary artery disease (CAD).
For every 50 mg/dL of TC above 200 mg/dL, Glenn's risk of getting a myocardial infarction (MI) doubles).
Glenn's LDL is too high; he needs to reduce it, for for a high LDL promotes coronary artery atherosclerosis.
In the case of HDL, Glenn's level is too low; he needs to raise it. HDLs promote the removal of cholesterol from the blood and consequently,
lower the risks of developing CAD.
Glen will be helped by doing the following dietary modifications: reduce his dietary intake of total fat, saturated fats, and cholesterol. This
change will reduce his level of LDL. To raise his HDL Glenn should engage in moderately vigorous exercise 4-5 times per week.
Work Step by Step
Dietary modifications and moderately vigorous exercise are often enough to return serum lipid levels to normal healthy values. In some cases, however, where there are hereditary and other influences involved, drug therapy may be necessary to achieve desirable lipid levels.
