LDL 156 but Dr. says it's equivalent to 312 in reality? How did she come up with that?

Total Cholesterol was 226, LDL was 156, HDL was 48, and Triglycerides 111. Although My LDL was 156, she said it was really equivalent to 312. Which she said was dangerously high and she put me on Mevacor 10mg. per day. I don't understand why 156 is really 312? Can anybody help me out. I'd like to understand this and find out if My cholesterol is really that bad.
Thanks

I have no idea why your doctor said it was really 312. In all your levels you are at
"Borderline High"

I was diagnosed 20 years ago with high cholesterol. The doctor DID NOT immediately put me on medication, and they should not.

The first thing to do is decress the cholesterol in your diet, lose wt, and increase exercise.

Your blood work should then be repeated to see if their is any change. If it remains high after you've attempted changes, then meds. should be tried.

Mevacor/Lipitor and the other statins can have serious side effects.

Many people begin to experience muscle pain. You will need blood work every 6 months to determine if their is a negative affect on your liver.

A new doc has worked with me to get off the cholesterol meds. Changed my diet (got off the daily eggs)--
I take Non-Flush Niacin and Fish Oil capsules.

Your doc sounds too, quick to delve out drugs

There are many people who have a total Cholesterol over 220 (like you), but their LDL is less then 100.

I think she was taking into acct. the total cholesterol combined with the LDL. This combination of both that are too high, makes your risk for heart disease even greater.

Think she was trying to get a point across that this was not something to fool with.

However, think she should try a diet change and exercise programme before she prescribes these medications

I am flabbergasted. Your doctor is an absolute disgrace. Your LDL levels aren't quite at the range they see fit to prescribe drugs for , so how bout we just double it and get you into the system anyway.

No one has ever proved high cholesterol levels to cause CHD. All that has ever been shown is an association.
The ENHANCE trial showed that lowering cholesterol by means other than statins, does not prevent atherosclerosis or coronary events. This means that lowering cholesterol does nothing, as statins do have other effects such as anti-inflammatory and perhaps ant-oxident. You can, though get these from other substances that do not have the horrendous side effects of statins.

Unless your doctor can come with a real good reason to justify doubling your figures just to put you on drugs, I would seriously consider reporting them to the medical board.
whatever you do, get a new doctor.

I've got more info on cholesterol here
http://cholesterolwise.bravehost.com/