25F - High Total Cholesterol (222) but High HDL (80). Doctor wants supplements/statins, but my ratio is 2.7. Should I be worried?

Hi everyone,

I just got my blood work back and I’m a bit confused by my doctor’s reaction. I’m a 25-year-old female, generally healthy, although I have a somewhat sedentary lifestyle and I deal with PCOS.

Here are my numbers:

Total Cholesterol: 222 mg/dL

HDL (Good): 80 mg/dL

LDL (Bad): ~123 mg/dL (calculated)

Triglycerides: Low/Normal

Glucose & Liver enzymes: All perfect

My GP is concerned because my total cholesterol is over the "standard" 200 limit and wants to prescribe me a red yeast rice supplement (which I know acts similarly to a low-dose statin).

However, from what I’ve researched, my Total/HDL ratio is 2.7, which is well below the 4.5 threshold usually considered "at risk." It feels like my high total number is mostly driven by my very high HDL.

I eat fairly healthy but I’m not very active. I’d much rather start exercising (I just bought a stepper!) and fix my Vitamin D levels (which were slightly low) than jump on supplements at 25.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Thanks!