A lot of folks see an initial rise in cholesterol numbers for about the first three to four months. I remember reading that the body's insulin triggers also affect cholesterol production in your body. WHen you are on Atkins, you initially are eating more cholesterol, but your body has not yet stopped producing cholesterol. Once you are 3-4 months into the WOE, your body's insulin response becomes more normal and your body realizes it does not need to produce cholesterol. By 6 months the numbers have come down. ALso I found my HDL soared with regular exercise. Hang in there, exercise and get retested in a couple of months.