During a routine physical in 1995, my physician declined to do a cholesterol test on me, explaining that lactating women have higher-than-normal cholesterol levels, but that the high levels are "normal" for breastfeeding women.  She discovered this after a bit of research she did when she herself was breastfeeding and her own cholesterol levels were reported to be high.  (They had always been normal before this.)  

According to information found at http://www.parentsplace.com/health/adultnutrition/qa/0,3435,6143,00.html , There was a JAMA study which discussed this, as well some earlier research.

References:  
Nutrition in Pregnancy and Lactation, 1993 JAMA, Cholesterol Levels and the Breastfeeding Mom, Vol. 261, No. 7, 1989 British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lipid Metabolism in Pregnancy, Vol. 89, 1982 

According to the parentsplace summary, "Cholesterol levels can be very high during pregnancy and while nursing. Normal levels for total cholesterol are between 120 and 190 mg/dl, while typical values in pregnancy range from between 200 and 325 mg/dl. Nursing women also have higher levels of HDL and other beneficial lipoproteins. In an article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, 1989, the authors recommend against lipid screening during lactation. They go on to state that the effects of lactation on lipids are beneficial."

Sara Dodder Furr, MA, breastfeeding support volunteer
Lincoln, Nebraska 
 

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