My Cholesterol Shot up over 80 points in 3 months

[rgf207]

I have a bad family history of Heart Disease. I'm almost 30 and I figured I had to nip this thing in the bud before it took the best of me. I'm not overweight, I don't smoke and I rarely drink.

I started going to the gym in January and go about 3 times a week. I went for a checkup in march and my cholesterol dropped to 157. I went today and it was at 244. What the hell? I am still going to the gym. My diet isn't as good as it should be but I haven't changed much in that area to warrant 80+ points.

This is so disheartening since I thought I was doing something good by going to the gym.

 

[daisax]

Sometimes it's just plain genetics. Try to be very strict with your diet for a month and then retest. If it's still high, discuss with your doctor.

 

[rgf207]

He was going to put me on Meds but I declined and he said he will give me 6 months. If I can't lower it to a safe level, I will go on meds. I'm already on Blood Pressure meds and really don't want to be on Cholesterol meds for the rest of my life

 

[bumbershoot]

Honestly, that sounds like a problem with the test. If I were having such tests done, and if that happened, I would just be calm and wait it out, and I would be sure it would fix itself with a new test in a few months.

 

[bgirl29]

My husband's doctor recommended fish oil pills when his cholesterol started to increase. He has retested since he started taking them and his numbers did drop some, I think it was 30 some points. You could ask your doctor what he thinks about fish oil pills. Just a thought.

 

[John VN]

DW's Dr. had her stop taking the cholesterol drug and put her on 2 pills a day of Cholestene, Red Yeast Rice. Her numbers went from 226 to 180 in 3 months. Almost time to recheck to verify the drop. We did not change our diet since we already eat healthy.

BTW. we take 5,000mg fish oil/day.

 

[LisaR]

I HIGHLY recommend you read a book called

Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease by Dr. Esselstyn.

The information is mind blowing. I have never read a book that has spoken to me as much as that book has.

In addition, The China Study by T. Colin Campbell is another fantastic book.

I personally think the best thing anyone can do is arm themselves with as much knowledge as possible when it comes to their health.

Good luck to you.

 

[rgf207]

I'm going to get back onto fish oil and see how that does. My dad takes Niacin too and I'm going to start that too. It's just really disheartening that I though I was doing everything right and this happens.

Thanks for all the advice. I"m going to check out those books.

 

[Terry36]

my cholesterol is also up and i have been working out and watching what i eat. where can i buy niacin? and how much should you take?

 

[Judy from Boise]

I assume that was your total cholesterol.....what happened to your ratio? There is a chance that exercise really raised your HDLs.

 

[rgf207]

my cholesterol is also up and i have been working out and watching what i eat. where can i buy niacin? and how much should you take?

You can buy them at Wal-Mart or Sams. They come in 500mg tablets

I assume that was your total cholesterol.....what happened to your ratio? There is a chance that exercise really raised your HDLs.

Nope. My HDL went up a little but mainly it was my LDL

 

[m&m's mom]

I am glad you are taking it seriously.
MY DH was an extremely fit, never smoked, good diet etc, 43 year old when he had a massive heart attack. Fortunately very little damage was done.