Hi All,

My numbers from recent lipid profiles

Apr '04
TC 162
TG ?

Aug '05
TC 308
TG 595

Dec '06
TC 460
TG 1900

Feb '07
TC 142
TG 81
LDL 69
HDL 58

History Apr '04 - All OK
Aug '05 - Doc stated results must be incorrect as it was imposible to go from 162 to 308 in such a short space of time. No weight gain or lifestyle changes during this period.

Dec '06 - these results were repeated twice within a week and both results were more or less the same. Heart doc put me on Lipantil Micro 200mg. Lost 10lbs in weight (with worry). Also started taking 4000mg of Omega -3 fish oils + 3000mg of niacin.

Feb '07 - Results way down.

BMI 23-24. Microdisketomy surgery (L4/L5)28th Sept '06.

Q's
1. Is it normal to have roller coaster lipid numbers?
2. Can anyone shed some light on what can be happening.

Due to see my cardiologist 14/2.

Thanks!!

Met with cardiologist on the 14/2. Informed me to stop taking Niacin!
Continue with Lipantil and Omega-3 oils.
Due for a further lipid test in April + stress test and ECG

3000 mg is a lot of niacin! Were your liver enzymes too high as a result? Was that the reason for the advice to quit taking niacin?

mav,

The fenofibrate (Lipantil) seems to be doing a great job, keep taking it. Your problem is largely triglyceride driven and it is exactly the right drug for the job. Your February numbers are VERY VERY nice. If you keep that up you will escape your sister's fate.

Niacin is primarily for keeping your HDL up. Too bad none of your earlier cholesterol numbers showed the level pre-niacin. Did your doctor say WHY you should stop taking niacin? (If I COULD take 3,000 mg. I WOULD but I flush with anything higher than 500 mg. slow-dose.)

Thanks for the responces!!

The reason given by the doc to stop taking the Niacin is not very clear or even very scientific. He simply stated that he felt 'I was taking too many combinations'. He asked me to cut out the niacin until my next lipid profile in April after which we would revisit the niacin issue. I got the feeling he did not place much value in niacin therapy.

My liver enzymes were fine and yes 3000mg is a lot of niacin. I took me a couple of weeks to build upto this amount starting at just 200mg/day. By the time I was on 3000mg I had minimal flushing which would last approx 40mins. At the start the flushing was just horid. I thought my whole body was going to spontaniously combust:blob_fire .

At the start the flushing was just horid. I thought my whole body was going to spontaniously combust:blob_fire .

I wouldn't be surprised if somebody actually DID burst into flames.
Rumour has it that Mrs. O'Leary had a very high dose of niacin just before the GREAT CHICAGO FIRE broke out.

What exactly is Lipantil? Is it a statin?