I have been taking Lipitor for about 5 years now and was amazed at how it lowered my cholesterol after just a few weeks. But this past October even though the other numbers were good (total cholesterol, triglycerides, and HDL) my LDL was high (112) so my Cardiologist upped my Lipitor dose from 10 mgs. to 20 mgs. and retested in two months. Everything was fine - LDL went down to 94 (although it was okay my Cardiologist still thinks it should be lower). Anyway, here it is five months later and another blood test and now my LDL is 117-higher than it's ever been!!! What the heck? I do exercise and eat pretty healthy so I don't know what to do. My Cardiologist moved out of state so now I am waiting for an appointment with a new one so I will see what he says, but just wondered if anyone else had a problem like this. Thanks for your response.

Can you post your other cholesterol numbers?

I am assuming that if you were seeing a cardiologist who was aggressive in trying to get your LDL down below 100 that you are at high risk for heart attack, right?

Just trying to get a clearer picture. :wave:

Do you have heart disease dmmom? If so what kind?

Thanks for taking the time to acknowledge and answer my questions. My cardiologist seemed to take aggressive action to prevent any problems and seemed very understanding. Am anxious to see what new cardio will be like. Anyway, my cholesterol number are as follows: total cholesterol 189, triglycerides 88, HDL 54 and LDL 117. I am a 47 year old female with high blood pressure (I take Hyzaar 100-25), high cholesterol (I take 20 mgs. Lipitor), and bicuspid aortic valve. I have had slightly abnormal ekg's, but not sure what they meant - will have to investigate further with new dr. Also, my Dad had cardiac arrest at 68 years old. Hopefully, with this info someone can give me some more advice. Thanks!!!

Hi Dmmom,

Your numbers would be enviable for many of us but since you mention abonormal EGK's and your dad's history along with your high blood pressure, I can understand why your cardiologist would want your LDL below 100. Obviously I am not a doctor. I would be as curious as you to know what the new cardio man would say.

The only thing I can think of is that he might want to perhaps change the statin drug you are on or prescribe a non-statin medication on top of the Lipitor. I am not sure but I have a friend as well as my brother - both of whom take Lipitor BUT they have high triglycerides. I heard lipitor is best for those with high trigs and Zocor is preferred for those with high LDL. My neighbor with high LDL is on Zocor.

Being 47 I would imagine menopause is a factor as well. I heard that during perimenopause and menopause that LDL cholesterol tends to rise in women so maybe that is why the LDL is being a little stubborn???

When is your appointment?? Please post your results! Good luck! :wave:

Thanks for responding about LDL levels. I find it very interesting about perimenopause and LDL levels. I will be sure to question new dr. about that. The thing is my LDL level was just 94 five months ago so I am really confused why it went up so much in such a short time when I have been taking 20 mg. of Lipitor during this time. I will post info that new cardiologist gives me after I see him next week. Thanks again.

dmmom,
Obviously it's the bicuspid valve that concerns your cardiologist and requires your extra low LDL levels. These valves are more prone to plaque formation and leakage than normal (tricuspic) valves.
As to the LDL increase...LOTS of things could be involved not the least of which is lab error in one of the readings.
Were your numbers sky high before the Lipitor? Over the last 5 years on 10 mg. Lipitor would you say the 94, the 112, or the 117 (should have been 116:D) was the more representative?
Have a retest before you take any drastic action. If LDL is AGAIN over 100 then some dietary intervention might be useful...very low saturated fats, NO trans fats, low sugar, add fish oil, eat fish.

Do you have any symptoms of valve leakage like swollen ankles or angina?

Again, thanks for the input. Cholesterol numbers BEFORE Lipitor 5 years ago were:
Total Chol. - 251
Triglycerides - 160
HDL - 46
LDL - 173
VLDL - 32

Average for LDL for past 5 years since taking Lipitor was 100.2

No valve leakage that I know of but some other questions regarding latest echo which I posted on the Heart message board.

Okay mom,

I think you can look at it thusly: the Lipitor is giving you 95-117 and isn't really too dosage dependent. Often people get simialr results for 10 and 20 mg...I did!
I would say go back to 10 mg and take some dietary action. I'll bet you'll slide below 100 LDL if you do the basics.
Since LDL calculation comprises 1/5 of the triglycerides, any large difference in them as a result of one day;s eating might distort the LDL fluctuations. Did you see much of that in the 3 readings you write about in your first post?