Hi Jon,

What did your doctor say about your abnormal levels? (Your ordering physician.)

Diet is only one factor in cholesterol. Your body MAKES cholesterol.

Some people with very little cholesterol in their diet may have VERY high levels of it and vice versa.

From what I have learned, it is not your total cholesterol that is problematic. Of much greater importance is your HDL and LDL levels. You want your HDL to be HIGH and your LDL to be LOW.

I understand the reluctance to go on statins. You did not mention how high your levels, but it might be worth having a discussion with your physician about ways to improve your numbers, beyond diet alone, but not necessarily through the use of statins. There may be other ways and factors involved.

I would also discuss your calcium levels. If they are just one tick above "normal" range as defined by the laboratory performing the test, I would not be too concerned. If there has been a large increase since your last prior test results, it is worth investigating further with additional blood tests and maybe a bone scan.