When I opened my first Rythm blood test results, one number immediately stood out.
My LDL cholesterol was elevated.
I’ll be honest.
My first instinct was to Google everything.
Within minutes I found articles telling me cholesterol wasn’t a problem, others saying it was one of the biggest risk factors for heart disease, and plenty of opinions somewhere in between.
It was overwhelming.
So instead of believing the first thing I read, I started digging into the research.
Not because I wanted to scare myself.
Because I wanted to understand.
First Things First…
One of the biggest misconceptions I had was that cholesterol itself was “bad.”
It’s not.
Your body actually needs cholesterol.
Cholesterol helps your body:
- Build healthy cells
- Produce hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone
- Make vitamin D
- Produce bile acids that help digest fats
Without cholesterol, our bodies simply wouldn’t function.
So why does LDL get such a bad reputation?
LDL acts like a delivery truck, carrying cholesterol through your bloodstream to the places where your body needs it.
The concern isn’t that LDL exists.
The concern is that when LDL stays elevated over many years, it may contribute to cholesterol building up inside artery walls.
Why Doctors Pay Attention to LDL
One elevated LDL result doesn’t mean you’re going to have a heart attack.
It also doesn’t mean nothing should be done.
Heart disease usually develops slowly over decades.
When LDL particles repeatedly move through the bloodstream at higher levels, some can become trapped in the walls of arteries. Over time, this can contribute to plaque formation—a process called atherosclerosis.
As plaque builds, arteries can gradually become narrower and less flexible.
If a plaque ruptures, it can lead to a blood clot that blocks blood flow, potentially causing a heart attack or stroke.
That process doesn’t happen overnight.
It’s something that develops over many years, which is exactly why prevention matters.
It’s About More Than One Number
One thing that really stood out to me during my research is that healthcare providers don’t look at LDL in isolation.
They also consider things like:
- Blood pressure
- Blood sugar
- Family history
- Smoking status
- Exercise habits
- Weight
- HDL (“good”) cholesterol
- Triglycerides
- Age
- Other medical conditions
All of those pieces work together to paint a clearer picture of cardiovascular risk.
That was reassuring to me.
One lab value tells part of the story—not the whole story.
Why I’m Starting With Lifestyle
Could medication become part of my story someday?
Maybe.
Maybe not.
Right now, I want to focus on the things I can control.
I’ve increased my protein intake.
I’m eating more fiber through foods like beans, vegetables, walnuts, and fruit.
I’ve started making homemade meals more often.
I’ve swapped Greek yogurt for sour cream.
I’ve found healthier fast-food options when life gets busy.
I’m choosing water, unsweetened tea, Diet Dr Pepper, or Coke Zero Sugar more often instead of sugary drinks.
I’m moving my body more.
And I’m working toward a healthier weight.
None of these changes guarantee my LDL will improve.
But they support my overall health regardless of what my next blood test shows.
Could These Changes Help My Hormones Too?
This is another question I’m hoping to answer.
Since my free testosterone was also elevated, I’m curious to see whether improving my nutrition, increasing my activity level, and losing weight will influence my hormone levels over time.
Research suggests that improving metabolic health can improve hormone balance for some women, depending on the underlying cause.
That doesn’t mean it will happen for me.
But it’s one of the reasons I’m tracking my progress so closely.
What I’m Still Learning
One thing you’ll notice throughout this blog is that I’m comfortable saying, “I don’t know.”
Because I don’t.
Not yet.
I’m learning.
I’m asking questions.
I’m collecting data.
I’m working with my healthcare provider.
And I’m sharing the process with all of you.
If my LDL improves…
I’ll celebrate.
If it doesn’t…
We’ll figure out why.
If my hormones change…
I’ll share that too.
Because this blog isn’t about proving I’m right.
It’s about learning what works for my body.
Health Journey Dashboard
Current Weight: 134.4 lbs
Current Focus:
- Lowering LDL cholesterol through nutrition and lifestyle
- Understanding why my free testosterone is elevated
- Building sustainable habits
- Tracking my progress with repeat Rythm blood tests and Proov hormone testing
Next Goal:
Continue making consistent lifestyle changes and compare my next set of blood work to my baseline results.
Disclaimer: I’m not a physician or healthcare provider. I’m simply sharing my personal health journey, what I’m learning from reputable research, and the conversations I’m having with my medical team. Nothing in this blog should be considered medical advice or a substitute for individualized care.