My HDL is 15, my LDL is 54.
My HDL has gone up 2 points since using Niaspan.

Tell me what your levels are I very curious.

That's really low if its expressed in the same manner as my test. Looks like the Niaspan is working, better than 10% boost so far.
My last test results:
LDL 142
HDL 27
Better than previous check but I still have a ways to go.

AA are you sure those are the right numbers? Red you aren't taking cholesterol lowering medications are u?

AA are you sure those are the right numbers? Red you aren't taking cholesterol lowering medications are u?

Yes these numbers are correct.

AA has your cholesterol number come down since you've been on the niacin? Are you taking anything else to lower cholesterol?

AA has your cholesterol number come down since you've been on the niacin? Are you taking anything else to lower cholesterol?

Yes I also take Vytorin 10-40mg.
My LDL didn't really drop till started taking the Niaspan also.

NHone, no meds at this time. I'll continue to refine my diet, stop smoking, and exercise and see if I can make some more progress. I also need to get to a peridontist and have some work done on my gums. I've recently learned that gum disease can have a negitive impact on all the lipid levels. My WBC and Mono levels where slightly elevated and the DR. believes that my be an indication of gum disease since I have had problems with that previously.

AA, I think your cholesterol is way too low. I don't believe I would be takiing the vytorin at all. What was your cholesterol before the vytorin and the niacin? Red, if you are not already using Coq10 for the gum problems you want to do some research on it. Coq10 is know to be of great success with gum disease. Gum disease can also affect the heart.

AA, I think your cholesterol is way too low. I don't believe I would be takiing the vytorin at all. What was your cholesterol before the vytorin and the niacin? Red, if you are not already using Coq10 for the gum problems you want to do some research on it. Coq10 is know to be of great success with gum disease. Gum disease can also affect the heart.

My cholesterol before Vytorin and niaspan LDL was 128 and HDL was 12.
My heart doctor said he wanted push my bad cholesterol as low as possible, due to the fact that I have very little good cholesterol.

My heart doctor started me on this after I had my 2nd heart attack. Which put me into cardiac arrest, and it took 4 shocks to bring me back.
And now I have heart damage. Left ventricular dysfunction-EF of 33%.

Red, if you are not already using Coq10 for the gum problems you want to do some research on it. Coq10 is know to be of great success with gum disease. Gum disease can also affect the heart.

Thanks for the heads up on the CoQ10. I have seen a little informatin on its use regarding gum disease take both as a supplement and used with tooth paste. I'm not taking it currently but I think I'll pick some up. If I remember correctly many use it along with Vita C, E and Lecithin. Does that sound right?

Sounds right. Lecithin supposedly lowers the melting point of cholesterol (considerably). I really haven't done a lot of research on this topic. You might also consider that you might be low on magnesium. I might suggest 600 mg of Coq10 for a period of time. I really don't know about you heart condition, but I do know that LDL is also important. My own personal opinion and that of people in research is that you LDL is too low. Cholesterol is used to maintain the integrity of the cell wall. I absolutely do not agree with the idea of LDL as low as possible. WIthout LDL you won't have any cholesterol. You don't eat much red meat do you? Red meat will raise HDL... seems like you have a lot of room to play with. I still believe that Heart disease is caused by inflammation and not cholesterol.

I forgot to mention that the zetia component of vytorin causes supplemental Coq10 not to be absorbed. This research was done by a well know cardiologist who is also an expert in Coq10. You are having the production of Coq10 stopped by the Lipitor component of vytorin and well as the absorption of oral Coq10 by the zetia portion.

Sounds right. Lecithin supposedly lowers the melting point of cholesterol (considerably). I really haven't done a lot of research on this topic. You might also consider that you might be low on magnesium. I might suggest 600 mg of Coq10 for a period of time. I really don't know about you heart condition, but I do know that LDL is also important. My own personal opinion and that of people in research is that you LDL is too low. Cholesterol is used to maintain the integrity of the cell wall. I absolutely do not agree with the idea of LDL as low as possible. WIthout LDL you won't have any cholesterol. You don't eat much red meat do you? Red meat will raise HDL... seems like you have a lot of room to play with. I still believe that Heart disease is caused by inflammation and not cholesterol.

Yes I eat red meat, also chicken and pork.
I have an appoinment with my new heart doctor next month I will ask him about this.. My old doctor retired.
I will buy me some of this Coq10 and try it.

AA,

I have never seen a lipid panel like yours. Your HDL is one for the record books...and not the GOOD ones.
Try taking more niacin to get it up. Three drinks a day will help a lot with this if you don't drink any now.

What your doctor is doing is trying to minimize the risk of the horrible HDL by lowering all your other risk factors. I think that is the right track...by all means continue the Vytorin.

Are you very overweight? Do you know what your triglycerides or total cholesterol are for the times you reported the HDL and LDL?

All said, you are on very untrodden ground, and probably should follow your doctors advice. MAke sure you take daily aspirin.

Next blood draw, ask your doctor to test your Lp(a)...thats lipoprotein-A.

To answer your original question: my medicated numbers are around LDL:65 and HDL:42 (Niacin and Lipitor) and I am reversing heart disease. My unmedicated HDL when I was experiencing angina a decade ago was 28....LDL over 190.

AA,

I have never seen a lipid panel like yours. Your HDL is one for the record books...and not the GOOD ones.
Try taking more niacin to get it up. Three drinks a day will help a lot with this if you don't drink any now.

What your doctor is doing is trying to minimize the risk of the horrible HDL by lowering all your other risk factors. I think that is the right track...by all means continue the Vytorin.

Are you very overweight? Do you know what your triglycerides or total cholesterol are for the times you reported the HDL and LDL?

All said, you are on very untrodden ground, and probably should follow your doctors advice. MAke sure you take daily aspirin.

Next blood draw, ask your doctor to test your Lp(a)...thats lipoprotein-A.

To answer your original question: my medicated numbers are around LDL:65 and HDL:42 (Niacin and Lipitor) and I am reversing heart disease. My unmedicated HDL when I was experiencing angina a decade ago was 28....LDL over 190.



Yes I am overweight but I've lost 30 lbs so far.
My doctor said I have a genetic problem as I don't produce much good HDL.
I take a 325mg asprin every day.
I don't remember my triglycerides or total cholesterol score. I do remember that my doctor said that my triglycerides was ok.
I'm taking prescription Niaspan 1000mg. 1 pill daily.
Should I take a non-prescription niacin also?
I don't see my doctor again till 28 Apr. but will ask about doing the lipoprotein-A test.

Thnak you for your help.:)

Tell me about your alcohol consumption.

In light of your taking Vytorin, I think NIASPAN at 1000 mg. should be the upper limit.

Tell me about your alcohol consumption.

In light of your taking Vytorin, I think NIASPAN at 1000 mg. should be the upper limit.

I don't drink alcohol.

Is the AA for, you know, AA? ;)
The very best way to raise HDL is a couple drinks EVERY day. I can't do it because the booze quickly gets the better of me and I have to stop. I think my almost stopping drinking 20 years ago triggered my very low HDL's AND my blocking coronary arteries. My youth was spent drinking heavily.

If you CAN drink sensibly, you should...but I know there are people for whom this is not an option.

Keep up the weight loss.

My mother's numbers are:

HDL: 72
LDL: 134
Trig.: 80

I'm trying to get her to take Niacin since she won't try anything else.

Is the AA for, you know, AA? ;)
The very best way to raise HDL is a couple drinks EVERY day. I can't do it because the booze quickly gets the better of me and I have to stop. I think my almost stopping drinking 20 years ago triggered my very low HDL's AND my blocking coronary arteries. My youth was spent drinking heavily.

If you CAN drink sensibly, you should...but I know there are people for whom this is not an option.

Keep up the weight loss.

Is the AA for, you know, AA? ;) No the name is not for that, it's a name I got from my wife she said I needed an - Attitude adjustment - hence AAdjuster.

My heart doctor told me I should not drink alcohol because of my heart condition, plus it's not recommended for people with Sleep Apnea. Which I have a sever case of.
I gave up drinking years ago, I would have a headache from drinking after a couple of drinks while I was still awake, so I stopped drinking.

I thank you for your help it's been appreciated.

What is your heart condition AA?

My mother's numbers are:

HDL: 72
LDL: 134
Trig.: 80

I'm trying to get her to take Niacin since she won't try anything else.


Why would you want her to take niacin? I don't see a problem with her numbers. Women with the highest longevity included the ones with higher LDL.

What is your heart condition AA?

Left ventricular dsyfuction

I have damage to my heart after my heart attack that put me into cardiac arrest. It took 4 shocks to bring me back.

AAduster,

I think the best I can recommend is to do two drinks a day of your least headache-making booze. It really works wonders on a recalcitrant HDL.

AAduster,

I think the best I can recommend is to do two drinks a day of your least headache-making booze. It really works wonders on a recalcitrant HDL.

Thank you for your help I will give it try.:)