A verdict has come in
my total cholesterol lowered by 24 pts
LDL lowered by 29 points
HDL upped by 7 points (into "best" range)
Triglicerides (already good) lowered by 7 points
and all of that is good so happy puppy dance worthy and big thanks to HandF friends, to the info OKay gave us here in Sept 2010 on her success with eating more beans, because I certainly have eaten more, too. And also I've been taking garlic, which I started because of the pneumonia, but which I later learned may be good for cholesterol. Total and LDL are still above where he wants them, but, hey, I'm a work in progress!
One interesting thing was that the new test for the size of cholesterol particles did not look good for me. My number was definitely above where it should have been. So dr has no explanation for that, but says everything else is going so well in the right direction we're not going to wonder about that one glitch. Doesn't recommend any change (and I wasn't going to start any meds anyway, he knew, lol). So we are good.
Nancy, that is the first I heard of Zumba Gold. Must not have it here. It sounds great if it's held somewhere you feel comfortable.