In a message dated 96-04-26 14:01:55 EDT, you write:

>Julie Brill
>
>PS Still waiting to hear if anyone knows why cholesterol levels are elevated
>during pregnancy/breastfeeding.
>
From Nutrition in Pregnancy and Lactation (1993), Worthington-Roberts and
Williams say:
"In contrast to the water-soluble nutrients, those that are fat soluble show
increased serum concentrations during pregnancy. There are progressive
increases in serum triglycerides, cholesterol, free fatty acids, and vitamin
A.  These higher lipid levels are what maintain the concentrations of alpha
and beta globulins, since to circulate, triglycerides and cholesterol must be
protein bound.  The mechanisms that support high lipid concentrations in
pregnancy have not been fully elaborated, but it is probable that the steroid
hormones are involved.
Cholesterol is a precursor for the synthesis of progesterone and estrogen in
the placenta.  Most of the increased cholesterol is in the very low-density
lipoproteins (VLDL).  Lesser increases are seen in low-density lipoprotein
(LDL) and high-density protein (HDL) cholesterol."

They list normal non-pregnancy range for total cholesterol 120-190 mg/dl and
values in pregnancy 200-325 mg/dl.  Hope this helps.

Sanna James, MS, RD