I don't know what else to do--high triglycerides

[LuvOrlando]

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[LisaR]

I am so sorry you are dealing with this. It is hard when you work to achieve one thing and something else happens. Don't let it negate the tremendous job you have done with the weight loss. Keep it up!

A few comments:
1. Remember, sometimes it is simply genetics. You can do everything in your power and those numbers won't budge. It sucks but sometimes that is the case.

2. I do suggest you do some reading on fish oil supplements and fiber and see if those are right for you. Both have been shown to help with cholesterol.

3. Nuts and berries also have shown some promise so you may want to see about adding those to your diet.

4. I am not a fan of saying, "try the XYZ diet because that is the one that will work." I am a firm believer in finding what works for YOUR OWN body. I think we are all individuals with different issues and body types. I suggest you try some different diets out and see what makes you feel good. Find the one that gives you energy, keeps the weight off and brings those cholesterol numbers down. Make sure it is a diet you can stick with. Because one person thrives on South Beach, vegetarianism, Atkins or the Ice Cream Diet doesn't mean you will.

My husband tried everything we could think of for four years. It finally took a combination of intense exercise and a vegetarian diet for his numbers to get into the normal range and stay there! Find what works for you.

Best of luck to you.

 

[dismom2]

Red Yeast Rice was recommended to me by someone who had success with it, and it worked GREAT for me. In three months I brought mine down from about 200 to 110. Personally, I didn't have any side effects from taking it, and I am sensitive to a lot of things. Good luck

 

[m&m's mom]

I was glad to hear someone else's Dr recommended 4000mg of Fish Oil a day. When my DH Cardiologist told him to take that much we were highly dubious as that is close to toxic levels. We'll see if it helps DH.

 

[PrincessKitty1]

That's actually a seriously outdated mindset... the cardiology community has switched to a "lower is better" approach -- even if normal! The LDL:HDL ratio is still important, but in terms of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, the overall numbers are more important, and if you can lower them, you should do so, by lifestyle modification or medication or both, whatever gets those numbers down.

And if your C-reactive protein levels are elevated, then a statin would seriously reduce your risk of death even if you had completely normal (low)cholesterol. So if you haven't had that test done, it's worth doing, because that would truly make it a no-brainer.

I don't want to hijack the thread, but I thought the "lower is better" approach referred to LDL, not total cholesterol. My last cardiologist put me on niacin to lower my total cholesterol, which didn't work, and my currnet cardiologist is more concerned about the ratios (my HDL had been high at 80+).

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I had my blood drawn at the end of January. My triglycerides were also high - 319. My total cholesterol was 239!

My doctor wanted to see if I could get it down with diet and exercise before prescribing meds. She recommended the Mediterranean diet. It's basically lean meats, fruits and veggies and whole grains (brown rice, oatmeal, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat breads, etc.). You can also include a limited amount of nuts and red wine. If you add any fat during cooking it should be olive oil. The doctor said basically to avoid anything processed or white (white bread, white-flour pasta, white rice, etc.).

I did this faithfully for three months and lost 25 pounds. I also started walking more and tried to do at least 30-45 minutes 4 times a week. I went for another blood draw at the end of April. My numbers were almost completely unchanged! My good cholesterol went up a little. My overall cholesterol went from 239-241! My triglycerides were about the same. The doctor concluded I was just a victim of genetics since my dad has the same problem. She put me on Tricor. I've been taking it for almost 2 months with no noticable side-effects. I'll go back at the end of July to have my blood checked again. Hopefully the numbers will look better this time!

 

[LisaR]

I had my blood drawn at the end of January. My triglycerides were also high - 319. My total cholesterol was 239!

My doctor wanted to see if I could get it down with diet and exercise before prescribing meds. She recommended the Mediterranean diet. It's basically lean meats, fruits and veggies and whole grains (brown rice, oatmeal, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat breads, etc.). You can also include a limited amount of nuts and red wine. If you add any fat during cooking it should be olive oil. The doctor said basically to avoid anything processed or white (white bread, white-flour pasta, white rice, etc.).

I did this faithfully for three months and lost 25 pounds. I also started walking more and tried to do at least 30-45 minutes 4 times a week. I went for another blood draw at the end of April. My numbers were almost completely unchanged! My good cholesterol went up a little. My overall cholesterol went from 239-241! My triglycerides were about the same. The doctor concluded I was just a victim of genetics since my dad has the same problem. She put me on Tricor. I've been taking it for almost 2 months with no noticable side-effects. I'll go back at the end of July to have my blood checked again. Hopefully the numbers will look better this time!

I have a huge problems with doctors sometimes and this is one of the reasons. In most cases, your cholesterol didn't become high overnight and in most cases, it isn't going to go down overnight. I am not saying that you do not need to be on medicine. Not at all. However, it bugs me when doctors say it is genetics when you only changed your lifestyle for 3 months. Maybe the Mediterranean diet isn't right for you? I am not assuming that you will give up trying to lower your cholesterol on your own but many, many people do. They jump on the genetics bandwagon, say they have tried "everything" and rely on the medication. Again, Luv Bunnies, I am not saying that is your intention but I know people personally that have done just that. I think 3 months is way too soon to blame genetics in most cases. While medication may be necessary, I hope you continue to try some other options.

 

[minkydog]

Thanks for the replies,y'all. I am doing a lot of the things you suggested. My diet is probably more Mediterranean than anything--DH is Greek so we eat a lot of veggies, chicken, whole grains, feta, olives and olive oil. I had started an exercise program at the same time that I started Weight Watchers, but I have suffered a series of injuries which have prevented me from exercising in the past 4 weeks. I have taken fish oil capsules before, but I have IBS and it made me have terrible diarrhea. So I eat a few almonds or walnuts every day. I eat oatmeal(not the instant kind) once a week, but I could eat that more often. And I eat very little pasta, flour, and breads except for multi-grain or whole wheat. And even then in careful portions.

Weight Watchers has been a good fit for me so I'm loathe to change to something else. I've done Atkins in the past but found it hard to stick with .I'm just not much of a meat eater. I will try to take the Niaspan for the next 6 weeks until I see my doctor again. If things are still not going well, I'll consider seeing a bariatric physician(not for surgery, but for dealing with diet.)

 

[jlima]

In 2002 my OB left town & I had to find a new doctor. She was concerned that my father died of a heart attack and my mom had a bypass; and ordered blood tests. I was 38 and had never had a cholesterol check. My triglycerides were about 435; and cholesterol was 201. After 3 months of a lowfat diet, the triglycerides were about 350 . . . but the cholesterol was over 250! If you are genetically predisposed to having high numbers, your body will find a way. My doctor prescribed tricor; and the triglycerides went down to about 210. I was then prescribed vytorin; and the triglycerides went down to about 180 and cholesterol is about 175 the last time I checked it.

When I was first prescribed tricor, it was made in a 180 mg pill. About a year later, the company who makes it changed to a 145 mg pill. I actually take one and a half pills; I have a pill cutter & cut them in half to get it right. I still follow a low fat diet - cut out fried food, no mayonaise, easy on the salad dressing, and as little beef as possible.

My father died of a heart attack at age 59 and his mother died of a stroke at age 56. I don't want their history to repeat itself.

 

[golfgal]

My MIL was having a very difficult time getting her cholesterol levels down even with meds. Her Dr set her up with a nutritionist and they put her on the American Diabetes diet and she is not off meds and has lost about 40 lbs just eating that diet. She had been exercising all along and ate pretty well to begin with. Often it isn't so much what you eat but how you eat the food, the combination of food. Since it isn't a "diet" like South Beach or Atkins I think it is easier to stick with eating that way. She was very religious about the diet for the first 6 months and then allowed herself to cheat every once in a while after that since she really isn't diabetic. She did find though that she lost her taste for a lot of sweets, etc. so that was good too.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I have a huge problems with doctors sometimes and this is one of the reasons. In most cases, your cholesterol didn't become high overnight and in most cases, it isn't going to go down overnight. I am not saying that you do not need to be on medicine. Not at all. However, it bugs me when doctors say it is genetics when you only changed your lifestyle for 3 months. Maybe the Mediterranean diet isn't right for you? I am not assuming that you will give up trying to lower your cholesterol on your own but many, many people do. They jump on the genetics bandwagon, say they have tried "everything" and rely on the medication. Again, Luv Bunnies, I am not saying that is your intention but I know people personally that have done just that. I think 3 months is way too soon to blame genetics in most cases. While medication may be necessary, I hope you continue to try some other options.

To give a genetics example, my DH has had high cholestrol since he had his first blood draw in his 20's, we are talking in the 4-500's range.

Meds were the only thing to bring it down however it took a long time for him to find meds he could take without bad side effects. One med gave him gout.

Of course he is NOT taking anything now. He does hate meds. He did just have a cardiology appt. with a Thallium stress test and an ECHO. Found out he does NOT have MVP like he thought all though yrs.

 

[katiebelle21]

Have you tried drinking tea? I started drinking a couple of glasses a day, and my numbers dropped. Obviously I drink it plain--I don't add sugar, but I will put some berries in my iced tea.

Also, soda can make your triglycerides high, so watch your soda consumption.

 

[I loveStitchnippyjon]

DH's total cholesterol has never been too bad...around 220 at it's worst. However, his triglycerides are sky high. Same with his late Mom (and that's what killed her). Tricor and Lipitor together have taken his cholesterol and triglyceride levels down to "optimal"! His cardiologist is thrilled, and he has had zero side effects.

 

[crz4mm2]

Have you tried drinking tea? I started drinking a couple of glasses a day, and my numbers dropped. Obviously I drink it plain--I don't add sugar, but I will put some berries in my iced tea.

Also, soda can make your triglycerides high, so watch your soda consumption.

What in "soda" makes your triglycerides high?
Thanks.

 

[james'mommy]

Could it be medication related? I'm on 2 different meds that can cause high cholesterol. That's not the reason for my high cholesterol (mom is) but I'm sure it doesn't help.

 

[bookgirl]

Try taking fish oil supplements and drink grape juice, the 100% juice that is red (just like red wine it's the coloring agent in the grape skins that help lower triglycerides). I'm fighting the same battle as you, I'm trying to eat better and excercise more. It's really hard.

 

[LisaR]

What in "soda" makes your triglycerides high?
Thanks.

Sugar. If you have high triglycerides, sugar should definitely be avoided.

 

[Catzeyes]

I was 40 when I had my first heart attack. They were going to let me leave the hospital until my labs came back. My cholesteral was sky high. They ordered a heart cath and found the two main arteries to the heart were 99% blocked. I ended up having triple bypass. After the surgery I followed the diet religously for 6 months. I never ate one thing that was not on my diet. They tested me again and it had not dropped at all. I gave up and went on the meds. Last November I had another heart attack and after another heart cath, they found more arteries blocked and this time they used stents. I am now in a drug study for cholesteral and am seeing a specialist. She swears it is genetic.

 

[quasar4legs]

One of the things that has really helped me is to see a dietician. She helped me develop a life long eating plan and made sure that it was well balanced and designed it around the foods that I enjoy.
I have heard that Dr dean Ornish has a very good plan for helping people to reverse heart disease but I have no personal experience with this program. Might be worth a google?

Good Luck with it all, it can be very frustrating when you are working so hard to do the right thing.

Cheers
Trish

 

[minkydog]

Could it be medication related? I'm on 2 different meds that can cause high cholesterol. That's not the reason for my high cholesterol (mom is) but I'm sure it doesn't help.

Actually, I went and looked my meds up.
ALL THREE meds can cause high triglycerides Some of them I take for depression, so I don't want to go changing too much too fast. But I'll be calling my doctor*(a different doctor prescribes the meds and I don't think my family doctor is as savvy about them.)

In the meantime, I am adding grapefruit, walnuts, and almonds. I drink a lot of black tea already and I rarely drink sodas, and certainly not sugared sodas. Not going to take the fish oil because it gives me terrible diarrhea. But I did start the new med tonight so I'll let you know how that goes.