High Cholesterol Questions

[Tigger&Belle]

I was surprised, after having some recent bloodwork, to find that I have high cholesterol. I'd always had low chol in past tests, so it caught me off-guard. The endo dr told me that with my family history of heart issues and with some meds I'm on that if my cholesterol level is not brought down that I have a high likelihood of having a heart attack or stroke. She put me on immediate medication...said that it's too high for diet/exercise to help enough.

I'm taking the medication, but I do want to make other changes in my lifestyle to help out. She didn't go over any of these changes, however.

What do I need to change? What foods should I cut back on or increase? How about exercise? How much and what kinds? I've been planning on getting a bicycle, so should probably do that sooner rather than later. Any other things I should change or be aware of?

I didn't think to ask more questions since I wasn't expecting this to be an issue.

 

[GoodFairies]

Cholesterol comes from animal fat so you would reduce the amount of meat or meat-based products you consume. Was your thyroid tested as well? This can influence your cholesterol sometimes. Exercise is always good.

ETA, a lot of people see a major drop in their cholesterol from being on meds without changing their diet or habits. That is good I guess but it's also the reason why people don't bother to change their habits which is unfortunate.

 

[phorsenuf]

Medicine and a weight watchers diet brought my levels down to safe levels in 8 months. Weight watchers is al about healthy foods.

 

[lsyorke]

I'm taking the medication, but I do want to make other changes in my lifestyle to help out. She didn't go over any of these changes, however.

I hate to read this! Doctors have an obligation to present other options when it comes to cholesterol.
Have you added any new medications since your last testing? There are meds that are known for increasing cholesterol.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

Almost everyone I know has high cholesterol, with most developing it around their mid 30's, it seems. Just a fact of life today. Most I know start life-long drugs, per their doctor's orders. Just something you have to do, I guess.

 

[disneymarie]

I was surprised, after having some recent bloodwork, to find that I have high cholesterol. I'd always had low chol in past tests, so it caught me off-guard. The endo dr told me that with my family history of heart issues and with some meds I'm on that if my cholesterol level is not brought down that I have a high likelihood of having a heart attack or stroke. She put me on immediate medication...said that it's too high for diet/exercise to help enough.

I'm taking the medication, but I do want to make other changes in my lifestyle to help out. She didn't go over any of these changes, however.

What do I need to change? What foods should I cut back on or increase? How about exercise? How much and what kinds? I've been planning on getting a bicycle, so should probably do that sooner rather than later. Any other things I should change or be aware of?

I didn't think to ask more questions since I wasn't expecting this to be an issue.

I was blessed with a top new PCP. She went over so much and really spends time on everything. When I had double vision start bad a few weeks ago, I had a Optho appointment in hours, MRI MRA, carotids done, and referral to a neurologuist. She never leave anything to question and is aggressive, but does not send for test you do not need. Answers all wuestions and will call me back or her nurse if I need more information. All test whether neg or something there they call me back with results.

I always had good levels if anything to bring the Good cholesterol up by exersize. But, the doctor did start me on the simvestin and I started walking on the treadmill.
But she said my going through menopause could elevate a reading and some families it is heritary and no matter how well you eat it will be elevated.

I did start the med, they checked for side effects of leg cramping and liver blood work in three weeks and again in 3 months. The repeat bloodwork in 3 months was fine, and from 200 I was down to 160.
I think I am done menopause too now. doing bloodwork for that too.

I did not do anything special, but years ago when dh levels were so high, I started watching what we cooked in, the Smart Balance type of butter products, no fried foods, did a alot of in and outdoor grilling, broiling.

His cholesterol did nothing, but mine was excellant
he liked brews after work at home and I think that effected it then.

 

[RitaZ.]

Eat oatmeal. My 76 yr. old mom eats it everyday and doesn't have high cholesterol.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cholesterol/CL00002

 

[phorsenuf]

I hate to read this! Doctors have an obligation to present other options when it comes to cholesterol.
Have you added any new medications since your last testing? There are meds that are known for increasing cholesterol.

This made me remember something too. If your thyroid is off it can throw your cholesterol numbers off too.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Just be aware that if your thyroid is the problem, your numbers may not come down. While being wheeled down the hospital hallway to have a tubal, the nurse stopped the gurney and screamed at me because I was not taking care of myself, thus being a bad mom. My cholesterol was through the roof. So I talk with my GP. The cause of my high cholesterol is both Thyroid and family history. I changed my lifestyle and food, exercised as much as I can. Nothing helps. Luckily my numbers have not changed. My first round of the drugs did absolutely nothing. So my DR. just watched my numbers to make sure that they did not go up anymore (yes I am at a very high level). I made the decision that prior to this summer I am going to give the drugs another chance.

And as a side note, my mother has the same thing. She is late 60's and she is just starting the drugs. She did have the test done and there is no sign of plaque that they could see as of yet, she is just worried with her age that she needs to try.

Good luck and please make sure they regulate your thyroid also.

 

[WDWBarb]

I've been a vegetarian for over 20 years and I have high cholesterol. My mother's is over 400, so sometimes it's genetic.

Cholesterol in your diet comes from animal products so reduce your consumption of those. You can also eat oats and otherwise eat healthy to lower your levels.

But ultimately, it may just be genetic.

 

[krcit]

My DH was told he had high cholestrol at his last yearly cardiac appointment. The Dr wanted to put him on meds but DH wanted to try to get it down by diet(he runs 5 miles a day already) He started eating oatmeal and lots of fruit-mostly oranges. He took Red Yeast Rice supplement and something else I think. When it was rechecked 2 months later, it was normal.

Good luck!

 

[PrincessKitty1]

I've been a vegetarian for over 20 years and I have high cholesterol. My mother's is over 400, so sometimes it's genetic.

Cholesterol in your diet comes from animal products so reduce your consumption of those. You can also eat oats and otherwise eat healthy to lower your levels.

But ultimately, it may just be genetic.

I agree, I've been vegetarian for 38 years and I have high cholesterol. My total cholesterol has always been in the 230s-270s but I was never on meds because my "good" cholsterol was so high, my "bad" cholesterol was low, and my triglicerides were OK (not great). Now my numbers are all out of whack and my doctor sent my last cholesterol test results along with a prescription for Zocor.

I had stopped exercising a year ago because of plantar fasciitis. Well, I'm back to exercising (I'd like to lose the 5-10 pounds I've gained in the last 3 years), I'm eating oatmeal or cheerios for breakfast, and more salads for lunch.

I talked to a friend who is a pharmacist and, in addition to oatmeal, he recommended grapefruit and a supplement called Policosanol. I have not added these to my diet yet (I have a grapefruit waiting for me in the frig though! ) but I plan to look for policosanol at my local natural foods/supplements store.

I will take statins if I have to, but I'm already on other meds that can affect liver function and I'm reluctant to start a statin drug if it is possible to lower my cholesterol naturally.

 

[disneymarie]

I agree, I've been vegetarian for 38 years and I have high cholesterol. My total cholesterol has always been in the 230s-270s but I was never on meds because my "good" cholsterol was so high, my "bad" cholesterol was low, and my triglicerides were OK (not great). Now my numbers are all out of whack and my doctor sent my last cholesterol test results along with a prescription for Zocor.

I had stopped exercising a year ago because of plantar fasciitis. Well, I'm back to exercising (I'd like to lose the 5-10 pounds I've gained in the last 3 years), I'm eating oatmeal or cheerios for breakfast, and more salads for lunch.

I talked to a friend who is a pharmacist and, in addition to oatmeal, he recommended grapefruit and a supplement called Policosanol. I have not added these to my diet yet (I have a grapefruit waiting for me in the frig though! ) but I plan to look for policosanol at my local natural foods/supplements store.

I will take statins if I have to, but I'm already on other meds that can affect liver function and I'm reluctant to start a statin drug if it is possible to lower my cholesterol naturally.

I love Grapfruits and loved them and oatmeal for a no brainer healthy diet.
But one of my meds states No Grapefruit....
I even have cans of sections in the pantry I would put splenda on....
Di

 

[WDWBarb]

I love Grapfruits and loved them and oatmeal for a no brainer healthy diet.
But one of my meds states No Grapefruit....
I even have cans of sections in the pantry I would put splenda on....
Di

When a med says "no grapefruit," does that mean just around the time you take it, or anytime at all?

 

[themarquis]

increasing the intake of natural fiber (whole grains, brans, etc) is a great way to drop cholesterol. FYI, this is why oatmeal and other stuff with oat bran in it works -- it's mostly the fiber (not the oats themselves)

Also, dropping your cholesterol intake is not going to do a lot by itself. High cholesterol is greatly impacted by trans fat, saturated fat, AND cholesterol intake. So you really have to work on decreasing all three (esp. trans fat) to see some results.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I am on a very low dose of a med that can cause high cholesterol, but the drs don't think that's causing the high reading since I don't take much. My thyroid levels were good. All the bloodwork was good except for the cholesterol. They could also tell that I'm in perimenopause....DUH, I've known that for years.

I'm vegetarian, but I do eat eggs and cheese. Not a lot of either, but I will watch that. We're already trying to limit the trans-fat, and the saturated fat. My 15yo is very good at reading labels and reading books to educate himself.

My total was 241. I forgot what the last reading was, but it was low even when I ate a diet high in fat.

I'll look into the suggestions here. Also will eat more oatmeal and fruits/vegies.

I have no idea why the endo dr didn't cover all her bases with me. And like I said, I wasn't expecting that conversation with her so wasn't prepared with questions. She's not a lover of sticking people on pills from the comments she said at my first appointment with her, so I am confident that I need to be on something to lower my level.

As a family we've been trying to buy smarter, but that's mainly for the benefit of my 9yo, who is a bit on the round side, and at the insistence of my 15yo who is conscious about eating healthy. It wasn't supposed to be for me!

 

[Buckalew11]

Also look at the ratio of good and bad (HDL and LDLs-not sure which is good and which is bad w/o looking). Dr. Oz says this is more important than the total number itself.

I know a lot of people who cannot take a statin drug. Do the bloodwork check-up and be aware of any soreness that you might start feeling--not a good sign. tell your Dr. asap.

 

[disneymarie]

When a med says "no grapefruit," does that mean just around the time you take it, or anytime at all?

My Simvestin for the Cholesterol, Says at no time while taking this medicine to have grapefruit.
di

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I don't have my numbers handy right now, but the bad/good was not healthy, also.

I'm on a grapefruit kick right now--I love the sectioned grapefruit cups that are sold in the refrigerated section at the store. Those will be hard to give up.

 

[WDWBarb]

My Simvestin for the Cholesterol, Says at no time while taking this medicine to have grapefruit.
di

I'd hate to have to give up grapefruit... I don't eat it often but it does give me a good pickmeup!