? about Cholestrol...

[hiwaygal]

I'm reading this thread with interest...but for a different reason (and please don't flame me!). My dog was very sick last week and it was determined a primary cause of that was high cholesterol! Particularly triglycerides.

I realize dogs and people are different...but maybe in this case not so much. Dogs don't have the option of medication, so the only way to control their cholesterol is through diet.

Anyway...another supplement that could help your friend is to take a niacin supplement. It supposedly helps lower triglycerides. With dogs, there is a risk of overdose, but I'm not sure what that risk is for people, definitely ask a doctor first!

Just wanted to offer another possible help...

 

[TLHB70]

I have not read all of the posts on this thread so I am not sure if this has been mentioned yet or not.

Policosanol
My mom had high cholesterol, not extremely high, but the doctor had told her that if she couldn't improve it any with diet (because it was just over the line), that he would put her on medicines. She heard about policosanol from a doctor friend. She got on it immediately. Her cholesterol has dropped and her doctor is quite happy. She buys the Rexall brand from Walmart.

Dawn, what do you think about policosanol? I have just started taking it too because the bottle says, "to maintain a cholesterol level that is already in the normal range." It did bring Mom's down, though. I read about it online. It looks very beneficial.

 

[DawnCt1]

From what I have learned that if the cholesterol is hereditary than the meds have a possibilty of not working.
Diet and exercise are the best way to control it.

Not for many, many people. The problem with the judgement that "diet and exercise are the best way to control it", is that some people can't acheive that control even if they survive on tofu alone. It leaves them without proper treatment and at risk for serious heart disease and stroke.

 

[DawnCt1]

I
Dawn, what do you think about policosanol? I have just started taking it too because the bottle says, "to maintain a cholesterol level that is already in the normal range." It did bring Mom's down, though. I read about it online. It looks very beneficial.

I have never heard of it and have no idea how it works.

 

[TLHB70]

Here is a link to an article that I have read. I know that there is lots more on the internet about it.
http://www.loweringcholesterol.net/herbal-remedies/policosanol/policosanol-benefits








The article starts with this sentence, "Policosanol has been used by millions of people in other countries and it appears to normalize cholesterol as well or better than cholesterol lowering drugs, without side effects."

 

[steen995]

My doctor told me take slow release niacin tablets every day for my cholesterol.

 

[John VN]

After you grind the flaxseed add cinnamon and pulse the grinder to mix. Makes it taste much better and keep it refrigerated. I add plenty to my own Organic Oat Cereal I make and eat at breakfast and throughout the day and even for dessert. Adding some Hershey's Special Dark chocolate chips makes for a great tasting and healthy end to the days eating.

Very informative book is Super Foods Rx by Steven Pratt, M.D. and Kathy Matthews. We have changed our diet with the help of this book and it has helped.

Meds intervention might be needed but continued circulatory testing and bloodwork might be advisable.

 

[golfgal]

A comment about the genetic side--it could still very much be genetic even if her parents/siblings are ok. What about her grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. They could ALL have high cholesterol and her parents are just lucky!

My MIL has had some major cholesterol problems and she hasn't reacted well to the meds. Her DR just put her on a strict diabetic diet to see if that helps. She basically has to follow the diet as if she were diabetic, no cheating. It has only been about a month so I don't know if it is working or not, but something to think about.

 

[salmoneous]

Not for many, many people. The problem with the judgement that "diet and exercise are the best way to control it", is that some people can't acheive that control even if they survive on tofu alone. It leaves them without proper treatment and at risk for serious heart disease and stroke.

Perfectly said.

 

[left210]

My husband has high cholesterol and his dr. has him on niacin supplements and fish oil supplements. Also, I was recently on a website for homeopathic treatment for something else and they had some stuff for cholesterol. I have never used it but am considering getting it for my husband to try along with some other stuff for infertility for me. The website is nativeremedies.com.

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

I am in the same boat as your son's girlfriend. I'm 32, thin/average build, and my cholesterol was 343 the last time it was tested last year. I am nowhere near overweight, I think I eat a decent diet, and my cholesterol goes nowhere but up. I have another test coming up in a week. It's always been high, but it was 259 the test before that. That sounds GOOD to me now

For me, it's genetic. Thin mom is on Lipitor after a cholesterol test that approached 400. Thin grandma is also on Lipitor. None of us smoke, drink, eat fast food, or do anything that would make cholesterol so high. I'll be on a statin drug as soon as I'm done childbearing/breastfeeding. I worry myself sick in the meantime. Every night I go to bed wondering if I'm going to have a heart attack or a stroke before I can go on a statin. My Dr. has NEVER said "too young" in reference to statin drugs. He did say that I needed to be done childbearing. Maybe that is why her Dr. is refusing?

 

[VirtuallyMe]

Some people are just genetically predisposed to have high cholesterol- like others will have low cholesterol and eat horribly.

For the people that have the genetic problem a healthy low fat diet with exercise and addition of oatmeal/apples and other cholesterol fighting foods helps but usually won't bring the levels down much- and that is when medication is definitely needed.

My total cholesterol is on the high end of normal but my good cholesterol is very high- way above normal limits -something the cardiologist I work with said that is a good thing and doubts I will ever have heart disease- despite the fact that I am overweight and not in the best shape actively.

So my advice is to see a different doctor if she isn't happy- to try different medications- there are new ones still in testing phase that will actually undo some of the damage- but may be a year or so before they are out on the market (a new class of drug- not just another statin)...

oh and she is young and definitely in her child bearing years- a woman's cholesterol level will go up while pregnant- but it is the "good" cholesterol that rises but for a year or so after her levels would be elevated also- and for someone who already has high cholesterol it can be scary

 

[CEDmom]

Honestly, I'd have her consult a Cardiologist and unless she's in immediate danger I'd suggest she do some things to alter her diet and if that doesn't work consider medication. I don't think it s/b used as an easy fix but it's been a God send for many who might otherwise not still be here.

I had a lot of success getting my numbers down by cutting out processed carbs and adding nuts into my diet. Good fats and very important. I didn't do Atkins but I did have 1 non-carb meal a day. This helped not only my overall number but also each individual factor.

Someone mentioned that she should try to lose 10lbs. Honestly though at her fitness level she's likely quite small since she has so much muscle mass.

I hope she's able to get this under control. I imagine it's hard to know what to do that will actually help rather than make her more stressed.

 

[momrek06]

Honestly, I'd have her consult a Cardiologist and unless she's in immediate danger I'd suggest she do some things to alter her diet and if that doesn't work consider medication. I don't think it s/b used as an easy fix but it's been a God send for many who might otherwise not still be here.

I had a lot of success getting my numbers down by cutting out processed carbs and adding nuts into my diet. Good fats and very important. I didn't do Atkins but I did have 1 non-carb meal a day. This helped not only my overall number but also each individual factor.

Someone mentioned that she should try to lose 10lbs. Honestly though at her fitness level she's likely quite small since she has so much muscle mass.

I hope she's able to get this under control. I imagine it's hard to know what to do that will actually help rather than make her more stressed.

That is it exactly, she is in such good shape that to attempt to lose 10lbs I think would be very difficult and IF she did, would she be able to keep it OFF.

Sometimes, I think, she does NOT realize the seriousness of this at all.

I posted this on here and have gotten fabulous ideas and have been relaying this to DS and DGF and I think I maybe "overstepping my boundries", they have NOT said that to me at all but just this a.m. I suggested she try oatmeal (which I have here) but she opted for regular cereal. Sometimes, ignorance is bliss, like almost, the news of her cholestrol counts were not what she wanted to hear and maybe hopes that they will "just go away"... (JMO)

Her mom called her and spoke to her at length on the results and her mom and I are on the complete same page about being concerned.

I am concerned as I think there is more going on here as DGF told me (well over a month or so ago) that her hair is falling out and I can SEE IT. That right there bothered me terribly because I noticed it and then (months later) she mentioned it to me. So it was true, I thought. She needs to have her thyroid checked as well. I am not sure if she got those results as well or that this last blood work included thyroid.

I, as a parent, who loves this girl to death (she is the sweetest in the world), am just really concerned. She is just so special to us and not to mention to DS. She rocks his world. And to know she has these medical issues really concerns me and DH.

She has promised her parents and DH and I that she will look into a cardiologist in the Boston area and get all these issues addressed sooner than later.

Thanks everyone who has posted on this Thread. I so appreciate it.

 

[CEDmom]

That is it exactly, she is in such good shape that to attempt to lose 10lbs I think would be very difficult and IF she did, would she be able to keep it OFF.

Sometimes, I think, she does NOT realize the seriousness of this at all.

I posted this on here and have gotten fabulous ideas and have been relaying this to DS and DGF and I think I maybe "overstepping my boundries", they have NOT said that to me at all but just this a.m. I suggested she try oatmeal (which I have here) but she opted for regular cereal. Sometimes, ignorance is bliss, like almost, the news of her cholestrol counts were not what she wanted to hear and maybe hopes that they will "just go away"... (JMO)

Her mom called her and spoke to her at length on the results and her mom and I are on the complete same page about being concerned.

I am concerned as I think there is more going on here as DGF told me (well over a month or so ago) that her hair is falling out and I can SEE IT. That right there bothered me terribly because I noticed it and then (months later) she mentioned it to me. So it was true, I thought. She needs to have her thyroid checked as well. I am not sure if she got those results as well or that this last blood work included thyroid.

I, as a parent, who loves this girl to death (she is the sweetest in the world), am just really concerned. She is just so special to us and not to mention to DS. She rocks his world. And to know she has these medical issues really concerns me and DH.

She has promised her parents and DH and I that she will look into a cardiologist in the Boston area and get all these issues addressed sooner than later.

Thanks everyone who has posted on this Thread. I so appreciate it.

So much of this could be caused by stress. It really can do a number on your body. I remember before adopting our DD during all the stress and emotions of fertility treatment my blood pressure was borderline high. Not enough to put me on medication but enough to have my doctor monitor me carefully. Anyway, about a month after we got home from China with DD I went in for a BP check. It was on the low side. I haven't had a problem since.

I hope she finds a doctor that will consider all her options and get things under control.

 

[floridafam]

My Dh has the same problem. He is a triathlete and does Ironman distance triathlons. He eats right, exercises daily and is very fit.

His cholesterol is 208. Too high for him but his Dr. doesn't seem worried.

Maybe there is some unknown link between a certain type of exercise and elevated cholesterol levels.

I would be very concerned with levels that high and I wouldn't think twice about going to see a Cardiologist.

My Mom has cholesterol over 300 and she is think and fit and eats right. My Dad doesn't eat healthy and never exercises, has a cholesterol of 124 and had to have quadruple bypass a few years ago.

Encourage her to see a Cardiologist and please keep us posted.

 

[floridafam]

I can't believe I forgot to mention this.

She could have a problem with her thyroid. It can cause cholesterol problems. Has she had any thyroid blood work done lately?

 

[spazzyjazzy]

I can't believe I forgot to mention this.

She could have a problem with her thyroid. It can cause cholesterol problems. Has she had any thyroid blood work done lately?

I totally forgot to mention that in my post. That is how they found out about my cholesterol too. They were checking my thyroid and she did a cholesterol test too.

 

[momrek06]

I totally forgot to mention that in my post. That is how they found out about my cholesterol too. They were checking my thyroid and she did a cholesterol test too.

To SPAZZYJAZZY and FLORIDAFAM:

Read my latest post #34...her hair is now falling out. If she is sitting down and I am walking around and can see the top of her head, it appears her hair is thinning and falling out and she has small areas of baldness (I want to cry typing this) because it really freaks me out. She has the thinnest hair I have ever seen.

 

[DawnCt1]

My doctor told me take slow release niacin tablets every day for my cholesterol.

Be careful of niacin. When I was working as an occupational health nurse I responded to a call in the building. A woman had fainted in the bath room and was flushed from head to toe. She denied heart disease, blood pressure problems, etc. In fact she said that she wasn't on any medication at all.....except a vitamen called "niacin".